Poetry makes life what lights and music do the stage. The Pickwick Papers

Man must not only make himself: the weightiest thing he has to do is to determine what he is going to be. He is causa sui to the second power. History as a System

People who are so much at the mercy of their moods should never be given serious responsibilities. Beware of Pity

This was the method which I adopted: I first assumed some principle which I judged to be the strongest, and then I affirmed as true whatever seemed to agree with this, whether relating to the cause or to anything else; and that which disagreed I regarded as untrue. ...I want to show you the nature of that cause which has occupied my thoughts, and I shall have to go back to those familiar words which are in the mouth of everyone, and first of all assume that there is an absolute beauty and goodness and greatness, and the like; grant me this, and I hope to be able to show you the nature of the cause, and to prove the immortality of the soul. The Trials Of Socrates