“the mother again remarked the simplicity and calmness of their relation to each other. it was hard for her to get used to it. no kissing, no affictionate words passed between them but they behaved so sincerely, so amicably and so solicitously toward each other. in the life she had been accustomed to, people kissed a great deal and uttered many sentimental words, but always bit at one another like hungry dogs.”

“Only mothers can think of the future - because they give birth to it in their children.”

“Happiness always looks small while you hold it in your hands, but let it go, and you learn at once how big and precious it is.”

“When one loves somebody everything is clear - where to go what to do - it all takes care of itself and one doesn't have to ask anybody about anything.”

“Every new time will give its law.”

“Happiness always looks small while you hold it in your hands but let it go and you learn at once how big and precious it is.”

“Happiness always looks small while you hold it in your hands but let it go and you learn at once how big and precious it is.”

“To an old man any place that's warm is homeland.”

“All of us are pilgrims on this earth. I have even heard it said that the earth itself is a pilgrim in the heavens.”

“Like some wondrous birds out of fairy tales, books sang their songs to me and spoke to me as though communing with one languishing in prison; they sang of the variety and richness of life, of man’s audacity in his strivings towards goodness and beauty.”

“Our existence has always and everywhere been tragic, but man has converted these numberless tragedies into works of art. I know of nothing more astonishing or more wonderful than this transformation.”