Aphorisms
(page 30)
A fool thinks himself to be wise, but a wise man knows himself to be a fool.
A schoolteacher or professor cannot educate individuals, he educates only species.
We shape our buildings, and afterwards our buildings shape us.
The inherent vice of capitalism is the unequal sharing of blessings. The inherent virtue of Socialism is the equal sharing of miseries.
We hang the petty thieves and appoint the great ones to public office.
We would often be sorry if our wishes were gratified.
He has all the virtues I dislike and none of the vices I admire.
In men of the highest character and noblest genius there is to be found an insatiable desire for honour, command, power, and glory.
For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone.
History repeats itself, first as tragedy, second as farce.
Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body.
Judge a man by his questions rather than his answers.
Revenge is profitable, gratitude is expensive.
Never complain and never explain.
If you must break the law, do it to seize power: in all other cases observe it.
Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration.
Wisdom alone is the science of other sciences.
I have just three things to teach: simplicity, patience, compassion. These three are your greatest treasures.
What's done can't be undone.
The answers you get from literature depend on the questions you pose.