"The greatest danger, that of losing one's own self, may pass off as quietly as if it were nothing; every other loss, an arm, a leg, five dollars, a wife, etc., is sure to be noticed."

"All existence makes me anxious, from the smallest fly to the mysteries of the Incarnation; the whole thing is inexplicable, I most of all; to me all existence is infected, I most of all. My distress i…"

"Prayer does not change God, but it changes him who prays."

"What a misfortune to be a woman! And yet, the worst misfortune is not to understand what a misfortune it is."

"Of all ridiculous things the most ridiculous seems to me, to be busy – to be someone who is brisk about their food and work. Therefore, whenever I see a fly settling, in the decisive moment, on the no…"