To attempt the destruction of our passions is the height of folly. What a noble aim is that of the zealot who tortures himself like a madman in order to desire nothing, love nothing, feel nothing, and who, if he succeeded, would end up a complete monster!
You have to make it happen.
Genius is present in every age, but the men carrying it within them remain benumbed unless extraordinary events occur to heat up and melt the mass so that it flows forth.
It is very important not to mistake hemlock for parsley, but to believe or not believe in God is not important at all.
The blood of Jesus Christ can cover a multitude of sins, it seems to me.
Pithy sentences are like sharp nails which force truth upon our memory.
Although a man may wear fine clothing, if he lives peacefully; and is good, self-possessed, has faith and is pure; and if he does not hurt any living being, he is a holy man.
If there is one realm in which it is essential to be sublime, it is in wickedness. You spit on a petty thief, but you can't deny a kind of respect for the great criminal.
The pit of a theatre is the one place where the tears of virtuous and wicked men alike are mingled.
The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has killed a great many philosophers.
His hands would plait the priest's guts, if he had no rope, to strangle kings.
Gratitude is a burden, and every burden is made to be shaken off.
Only a very bad theologian would confuse the certainty that follows revelation with the truths that are revealed. They are entirely different things.
There are things I can't force. I must adjust. There are times when the greatest change needed is a change of my viewpoint.
