Astronomy is perhaps the science whose discoveries owe least to chance, in which human understanding appears in its whole magnitude, and through which man can best learn how small he is.

Good taste is either that which agrees with my taste or that which subjects itself to the rule of reason. From this we can see how useful it is to employ reason in seeking out the laws of taste.

The great rule: If the little bit you have is nothing special in itself, at least find a way of saying it that is a little bit special.

A schoolteacher or professor cannot educate individuals, he educates only species.

Most subjects at universities are taught for no other purpose than that they may be re-taught when the students become teachers.

The human tendency to regard little things as important has produced very many great things.