"As the strata of the earth preserve..." - Quote by Arthur Schopenhauer

“Virtue is as little to be acquired by learning as genius; nay, the idea is barren, and is only to be employed as an instrument, in the same way as genius in respect to art. It would be as foolish to expect that our moral and ethical systems would turn out virtuous, noble, and holy beings, as that our aesthetic systems would produce poets, painters, and musicians.”

“To forgive and forget means to throw away dearly bought experience.”

“Newspapers are the second hand of history. This hand, however, is usually not only of inferior metal to the other hands, it also seldom works properly.”

“Things keep their secrets.”

“Experience is a poor guide to man, and is seldom followed. What really teaches a man is not experience, but observation.”

“Wisest is he who knows he knows not.”

“Only the great generalizations survive. The sharp words of the Declaration of Independence, lampooned then and since as 'glittering generalities,' have turned out blazing ubiquities that will burn forever and ever.”

“Hold those things that tell your history and protect them. During slavery, who was able to read or write or keep anything? The ability to have somebody to tell your story to is so important. It says: 'I was here. I may be sold tomorrow. But you know I was here.'”

“Everyone's life is a page in the human history irrespective of the position he or she holds or the work he or she performs.”