I didn't think; 

I experimented.

A verbal art like poetry is reflective; 

it stops to think. 

Music is immediate, 

it goes on to become.

The possession of knowledge does not kill the sense of wonder and mystery. 

There is always more mystery.

Perhaps I am doomed to retrace my steps 

under the illusion that I am exploring, 

doomed to try and learn 

what I should simply recognise, 

learning a mere fraction 

of what I have forgotten.

Knowledge of human nature is the beginning and end of political education.

When I do good 

I feel good, 

when I do bad 

I feel bad, 

and that's my religion.

I love fools' experiments. 

I am always making them.

A dwarf standing on the shoulders of a giant 

may see farther than a giant himself.

Education is the leading of human souls to what is best, 

and making what is best out of them.

Even if happiness forgets you a little bit, 

never completely forget about it.

Any feeling that I was enriching my mind 

from those surrounding me 

was unfortunately rare with me.

If we go on explaining 

we shall cease to understand one another.

No one feels another's grief, 

no one understands another's joy. 

People imagine they can reach one another. 

In reality they only pass each other by.

How sad it is 

that these great gentlemen should believe what anyone tells them 

and do not choose to judge for themselves! 

But it is always so.