Philosopher

The test of every religious, political, or educational system is the man that it forms.

The test of every religious, political, or educational system is the man that it forms.

Sympathy is the first condition of criticism.

Sacrifice still exists everywhere, and everywhere the elect of each generation suffers for the salvation of the rest.

The man who has no inner-life is a slave to his surroundings.

Destiny has two ways of crushing us - by refusing our wishes and by fulfilling them.

We only understand that which already is within us.

It is by teaching that we teach ourselves, by relating that we observe, by affirming that we examine, by showing that we look, by writing that we think, by pumping that we draw water into the well.

Learn to... be what you are, and learn to resign with a good grace all that you are not.

We are never more discontented with others than when we are discontented with ourselves.

Our duty is to be useful, not according to our desires but according to our powers.

Any landscape is a condition of the spirit.

Sacrifice, which is the passion of great souls, has never been the law of societies.

Every life is a profession of faith, and exercises an inevitable and silent influence.

Thankfulness is the beginning of gratitude. Gratitude is the completion of thankfulness. Thankfulness may consist merely of words. Gratitude is shown in acts.

Action is coarsened thought; thought becomes concrete, obscure, and unconscious.

Blessed be childhood, which brings down something of heaven into the midst of our rough earthliness.

Charm is the quality in others, that makes us more satisfied with ourselves.

Action and faith enslave thought, both of them in order not be troubled or inconvenienced by reflection, criticism, and doubt.

Tell me what you feel in your room when the full moon is shining in upon you and your lamp is dying out, and I will tell you how old you are, and I shall know if you are happy.