“Look upon men and things with the inner eye, with its form and desire, never forgetting that the shadow they throw as they pass by, upon hillock or wall, is but the fleeting image of a mightier shadow, which, like the wing of an imperishable swan, floats over every soul that draws near to their soul. Do not believe that thoughts such as these can be mere ornaments, and without influence upon the lives of those who admit them. It is far more important that one’s life should be perceived than that it should be transformed; for no sooner has it been perceived, than it transforms itself of its own accord.”

“Look upon men and things with the inner eye, with its form and desire, never forgetting that the shadow they throw as they pass by, upon hillock or wall, is but the fleeting image of a mightier shadow, which, like the wing of an imperishable swan, floats over every soul that draws near to their soul. Do not believe that thoughts such as these can be mere ornaments, and without influence upon the lives of those who admit them. It is far more important that one’s life should be perceived than that it should be transformed; for no sooner has it been perceived, than it transforms itself of its own accord.”

“It is sad to love and be unloved, but sadder still to be unable to love.”

“At every crossroads on the path that leads to the future, tradition has placed 10,000 men to guard the past.”

“It is not from reason that justice springs, but goodness is born of wisdom.”

“Many a happiness in life, as many a disaster, can be due to chance, but the peace within us can never be governed by chance.”

“We possess only the happiness we are able to understand.”

“Remember that happiness is as contagious as gloom. It should be the first duty of those who are happy to let others know of their gladness.”

“All our knowledge merely helps us to die a more painful death than animals that know nothing.”

“Do we not all spend the greater part of our lives under the shadow of an event that has not yet come to pass?”

“To disdain today is to prove that yesterday has been misunderstood.”

“You do well to have visions of a better life than of every day but it is the life of every day from which the elements of a better life must come.”