Henri Frederic Amiel Quotes

Man becomes man only by his intelligence, but he is man only by his heart.

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

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

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

To live we must conquer incessantly, we must have the courage to be happy.

To shun one's cross is to make it heavier.

Clever people will recognize and tolerate nothing but cleverness.

Analysis kills spontaneity. The grain once ground into flour springs and germinates no more.

Let us be true: this is the highest maxim of art and of life, the secret of eloquence and of virtue, and of all moral authority.

I'm not interested in age. People who tell me their age are silly. You're as old as you feel.

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

Cleverness is serviceable for everything, sufficient for nothing.

The only substance properly so called is the soul.

To do easily what is difficult for others is the mark of talent. To do what is impossible for talent is the mark of genius.

True humility is contentment.

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

Materialism coarsens and petrifies everything, making everything vulgar, and every truth false.

The best path through life is the highway.

Music is harmony, harmony is perfection, perfection is our dream, and our dream is heaven.

The man who insists upon seeing with perfect clearness before he decides, never decides. Accept life, and you must accept regret.

Tears are the symbol of the inability of the soul to restrain its emotion and retain its self command.