The knowledge and skills you have achieved are meant to be forgotten so you can float comfortably in emptiness, without obstruction.

There is a wisdom in this beyond the rules of physic. A man’s own observation, what he finds good of and what he finds hurt of, is the best physic to preserve health.

No one can draw more out of things, books included, than he already knows. A man has no ears for that to which experience has given him no access.

A little knowledge that acts is worth infinitely more than much knowledge that is idle.

As the traveler who has once been from home is wiser than he who has never left his own doorstep, so a knowledge of one other culture should sharpen our ability to scrutinize more steadily, to appreciate more lovingly, our own.

A primary object should be the education of our youth in the science of government. In a republic, what species of knowledge can be equally important? And what duty more pressing than communicating it to those who are to be the future guardians of the liberties of the country.

When I examine myself and my methods of thought, I come to the conclusion that the gift of fantasy has meant more to me than my talent for absorbing positive knowledge.

The possession of knowledge does not kill the sense of wonder and mystery. There is always more mystery.

Three passions, simple but overwhelmingly strong, have governed my life: the longing for love, the search for knowledge, and unbearable pity for the suffering of mankind.

This is the law: The purpose of fighting is to win. There is no possible victory in defense. The sword is more important than the shield and skill is more important than either. The final weapon is the brain. All else is supplemental.

You may shoot me with your words, you may cut me with your eyes, you may kill me with your hatefulness, but still, like air, I'll rise.

Solitude is for me a fount of healing which makes my life worth living.

People will do anything, no matter how absurd, in order to avoid facing their own souls.

Give us grace and strength to forbear and to persevere. Give us courage and gaiety and the quiet mind, spare to us our friends, soften to us our enemies.

I hate who steals my solitude without, in exchange, offering me true company.

An inability to stay quiet . . . is one of the most conspicuous failings of mankind.

Be patient with yourself. Self-growth is tender; it’s holy ground. There’s no greater investment.

The Son of God became a man to enable men to become sons of God.

It is easy in the world to live after the world’s opinion; it is easy in solitude to live after our own; but the great man is he who in the midst of the crowd keeps with perfect sweetness the independence of solitude.

Nowhere can man find a quieter or more untroubled retreat than in his own soul.