The most perfect ape cannot draw an ape; only man can do that; but, likewise, only man regards the ability to do this as a sign of superiority.

One cannot demand of a scholar that he show himself a scholar everywhere in society, but the whole tenor of his behavior must none the less betray the thinker, he must always be instructive, his way of judging a thing must even in the smallest matters be such that people can see what it will amount to when, quietly and self-collected, he puts this power to scholarly use.

Delight at having understood a very abstract and obscure system leads most people to believe in the truth of what it demonstrates.

The fly that doesn't want to be swatted is most secure when it lights on the fly-swatter.

A schoolteacher or professor cannot educate individuals, he educates only species.

Rational free spirits are the light brigade who go on ahead and reconnoitre the ground which the heavy brigade of the orthodox will eventually occupy.

With prophecies the commentator is often a more important man than the prophet.

Virtue by premeditation isn't worth much.

He who is enamored of himself will at least have the advantage of being inconvenienced by few rivals.

The most dangerous untruths are truths moderately distorted.