"Whereas in art nothing worth doing can be done without genius, in science even a very moderate capacity can contribute to a supreme achievement."

"Not to be absolutely certain is, I think, one of the essential things in rationality."

"Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do."

"The main things which seem to me important on their own account, and not merely as means to other things, are knowledge, art, instinctive happiness, and relations of friendship or affection."

"Fear is the main source of superstition, and one of the main sources of cruelty. To conquer fear is the beginning of wisdom."

"The wise man thinks about his troubles only when there is some purpose in doing so; at other times he thinks about others things."

"If man does his best what else is there?"

"I meant to write about death, only life came breaking in as usual."

"Do not fear to be eccentric in opinion, for every opinion now accepted was once eccentric."

"We in America do not have government by the majority. We have government by the majority who participate."

"If you stay in Beverly Hills too long you become a Mercedes."

"I like to play saxophone because you don't inhale."