Enormous wealth in our days is to the monopolist, immense fame to the specialist.

To rise above contestants, one must be patient, resigned, long toiling and abhorrent of the social ties which fetter one when most of the time is demanded to solve a problem, and pester one to recite the two or three letters he has learnt when he ought to study till he masters the entire alphabet.

A man must immolate himself.
Oh, he had been so happy at whiles with the thought, accounted providential, that he stood alone, with no one to distract him, to impose burdens on him and to claim a right to make inroads on his precious hours.

He loved the loneliness in which he sank when he stepped out of the lecture-room and the amphitheatre.

He had not felt the need, which others confessed, of some one with whom to share griefs, debate enigmas and communicate projects.