The masses are the material of democracy, but its form-that is to say, the laws which express the general reason, justice, and utility-can only be rightly shaped by wisdom, which is by no means a universal property. — Henri Frederic Amiel Copy Share Image
Men of genius supply the substance of history, while the mass of men are but the critical filter, the limiting, slackening, passive force needed for the modification of ideas supplied by genius. — Henri Frederic Amiel Copy Share Image
There is only one way of not hating those who do us wrong, and that is by doing them good. — Henri Frederic Amiel Copy Share Image
Latent genius is but a presumption. Everything that can be, is bound to come into being, and what never comes into being is nothing. — Henri Frederic Amiel Copy Share Image
Life is short and we have never too much time for gladdening the hearts of those who are traveling the dark journey with us.… — Henri Frederic Amiel Copy Share Image
Each bud flowers but once and each flower has but its minute of perfect beauty; so, in the garden of the soul each feeling… — Henri Frederic Amiel Copy Share Image
We are never more discontented with others than when we are discontented with ourselves. — Henri Frederic Amiel Copy Share Image
Only evil grows of itself, while for goodness we want effort and courage. — Henri Frederic Amiel Copy Share Image
A man must be able to cut a knot, for everything cannot be untied; he must know how to disengage what is essential from… — Henri Frederic Amiel Copy Share Image
Our greatest illusion is to believe that we are what we think ourselves to be. — Henri Frederic Amiel Copy Share Image
Charm is the quality in others that makes us more satisfied with ourselves. — Henri Frederic Amiel Copy Share Image
The philosopher aspires to explain away all mysteries, to dissolve them into light. Mystery on the other hand is demanded and pursued by the… — Henri Frederic Amiel Copy Share Image
