Johann Peter EckermannThinkers

Courtesy is to avoid inflicting on your inferiors what your betters have inflicted on you.

Diversity is not a law but a result. The law is unity.

The Idea is an almost impenetrable thing. It often takes centuries for a people to get through the shell of a single idea.

Passion is important, but so too is cool collectedness — Invention requires an excited mind; execution, a calm one.