In the society of men, the truth resides now less in what things are than in what they are not. Our social realities are so ugly if seen in the light of exiled truth, and beauty is almost no longer possible if it is not a lie.

Everything is a miracle. It is a miracle that one does not dissolve in one’s bath like a lump of sugar.

To ensure the adoration of a theorem for any length of time, faith is not enough; a police force is needed as well.

All things are filled full of signs, and it is a wise man who can learn about one thing from another.

Curses are like young chickens, they always come home to roost.

On no other stage are the scenes shifted with a swiftness so like magic as on the great stage of history when once the hour strikes.

Men willingly believe what they wish.

There is not so contemptible a plant or animal that does not confound the most enlarged understanding.

The more enlightened our houses are, the more their walls ooze ghosts.

The Mughal’s nature is such that they demand miracles, but if a miracle were to be performed by some upright follower of our religion, they would say that it had been brought about by magic and sorcery. They would strike him down with spears or would stone him to death.

Have you ever, looking up, seen a cloud like to a centaur, a leopard, a wolf, or a bull?

I shall curse you with book and bell and candle.

Nothing worth knowing can be understood with the mind.