“One of the deepest needs of the human soul is for centeredness . . . which confers meaning on the shapelessness of temporal existence.”

“One of the deepest longings of the human soul is to be seen.”

“One who transmuted things from formlessness and shapelessness into that-which-was-not-real, but without which the real would have no meaning”

“The philosophical I is not the man, not the human body or the human soul of which psychology treats, but the metaphysical subject, the limit -not a part of the world.[...]If by eternity is understood not endless temporal duration but timelessness, then he lives eternally who lives in the present.”

“Nikolushka and his upbringing, Andre, and religion were Princess Marya's comforts and joys; but, besides that, since every human being needs his personal hope, Princess Marya had in the deepest recesses of her soul a hidden dream and hope, which provided the main comfort of her life.”

“To furnish the means of acquiring knowledge is ... the greatest benefit that can be conferred upon mankind. It prolongs life itself and enlarges the sphere of existence.”