It is not what he had, or even what he does which expresses the worth of a man, but what he is. – Henri Frederic Amiel
Tell me what you feel in your room when the full moon is shining in upon you and your lamp is dying out, and I will tell you how old you are, and I shall know if you are happy. – Henri Frederic Amiel
Work while you have the light. You are responsible for the talent that has been entrusted to you. – Henri Frederic Amiel
It is by teaching that we teach ourselves, by relating that we observe, by affirming that we examine, by showing that we look, by writing that we think, by pumping that we draw water into the well. – Henri Frederic Amiel
Destiny has two ways of crushing us – by refusing our wishes and by fulfilling them. – Henri Frederic Amiel
Action and faith enslave thought, both of them in order not be troubled or inconvenienced by reflection, criticism, and doubt. – Henri Frederic Amiel
Thankfulness is the beginning of gratitude. Gratitude is the completion of thankfulness. Thankfulness may consist merely of words. Gratitude is shown in acts. – Henri Frederic Amiel
Doing easily what others find difficult is talent; doing what is impossible for talent is genius. – Henri Frederic Amiel
Every life is a profession of faith, and exercises an inevitable and silent influence. – Henri Frederic Amiel
The man who insists upon seeing with perfect clearness before he decides, never decides. Accept life, and you must accept regret. – Henri Frederic Amiel
He who asks of life nothing but the improvement of his own nature… is less liable than anyone else to miss and waste life. – Henri Frederic Amiel
Common sense is the measure of the possible; it is composed of experience and prevision; it is calculation applied to life. – Henri Frederic Amiel
Life is short and we have never too much time for gladdening the hearts of those who are travelling the dark journey with us. Oh be swift to love, make haste to be kind. – Henri Frederic Amiel