In a world of democracies, the most deserving basis of national differences is that the different states of the world should represent a form of moral specialisation within humanity.

At every level the greatest obstacle to transforming the world is that we lack the clarity and imagination to conceive that it could be different

I regard myself as a man without charm in a country of charmers.

When we imagine our Universe to be just one out of a multitude of possible worlds we devalue this world, the one we see, the one we should be trying to explain.

In my view, a political vision is not a grab-bag of discrete problems and solutions. It is the visionary anticipation of a direction.

The supreme good of life is vitality. And vitality is always seeping away.

The scientist should treasure the riddles he can't solve, not explain them away at the outset.

Brazil has no future as a China with fewer people.

No one is much pleased with a companion who does not increase, in some respect, their fondness for themselves.

When morality comes up against profit, it is seldom that profit loses.

If you educate a man you educate a person but if you educate a woman you educate a family.

All I need is a sheet of paper and something to write with, and then I can turn the world upside down.

If any of you have a desire to be mediocre, you will probably find that you have already achieved your ambition.

True delicacy is not a fragile thing.

Ceremony keeps up things: 'tis like a penny glass to a rich spirit, or some excellent water; without it the water were spilt, and the spirit lost.

When it is working, you completely go into another place, you're tapping into things that are totally universal, completely beyond your ego and your own self. That's what it's all about.

Anything that endures over time sacrifices its ability to make an impression.

She'd always known he didn't love her. But it was easier to bear when he didn't know she loved him. That way they were even. Now he knew he had all the power.