The principle of asceticism never was, nor ever can be, consistently pursued by any living creature. Let but one tenth part of the inhabitants of the earth pursue it consistently, and in a days time they will have turned it into a Hell. – Jeremy Bentham
The story of his youth was a series of bitternesses, as is the case with almost all distinguished men. Poverty sits by their cradle, and keeps watch over them till they have grown up; and this lean nurse remains their true companion through life. – Heinrich Heine
Great authors are admirable in this respect: in every generation they make for disagreement. Through them we become aware of our differences. – Andre Gide
Human brutes, like other beasts, find snares and poison in the provision of life, and are allured by their appetites to their destruction. – Jonathan Swift
