The purpose of man is to live, not exist.

You will never be able to escape from your heart. So it is better to listen to what it has to say.

Dancing is not just getting up painlessly, like a leaf blown on the wind; dancing is when you tear your heart out and rise out of your body to hang suspended between the worlds.

The things which . . . are esteemed as the greatest good of all . . . can be reduced to these three headings: to wit, Riches, Fame, and Pleasure. With these three the mind is so engrossed that it cannot scarcely think of any other good.

it takes as much energy to wish as it does to plan.

Cowards die many times before their deaths; the valiant never taste of death but once.

Here is the test to find whether your mission on earth is finished: if you're alive, it isn't.

If the highest aim of a captain were to preserve his ship, he would keep it in port forever.

Now if I carry out this oath, and break it not, may I gain forever reputation among all men for my life and for my art; but if I transgress it and forswear myself, may the opposite befall me.

By prevailing over all obstacles and distractions, one may unfailingly arrive at his chosen goal or destination.

What we do now echoes in eternity.

Be at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let every new year find a better man.

The heights by great men reached and kept Where not attained by sudden flight, But they, while their companions slept, Were toiling upward in the night.

If a man knows not to which port he sails, no wind is favorable.

It is not uncommon for people to spend their whole life waiting to start living.

To live content with small means; to seek elegance rather than luxury, and refinement rather than fashion; to be worthy, not respectable, and wealthy, not rich; to study hard, think quietly, talk gently, act frankly; to listen to stars and birds, to babes and sages, with open heart; to bear all cheerfully, do all bravely, await occasions, hurry never. In a word, to let the spiritual, unbidden and unconscious, grow up through the common. This is to be my symphony.