The finest works of art are precious, among other reasons, because they make it possible for us to know, if only imperfectly and for a little while, what it actually feels like to think subtly and feel nobly.

Beauty is worse than wine, it intoxicates both the holder and beholder.

It was one of those evenings when men feel that truth, goodness and beauty are one. In the morning, when they commit their discovery to paper, when others read it written there, it looks wholly ridiculous.

Cynical realism is the intelligent man's best excuse for doing nothing in an intolerable situation.

I wanted to change the world. But I have found that the only thing one can be sure of changing is oneself.