Begin to be now what you will be hereafter.
If you're going through hell, keep going.
Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible.
To know oneself, one should assert oneself.
The wise does at once what the fool does at last.
I can, therefore I am.
Without hard work, nothing grows but weeds.
Be gentle to all and stern with yourself.
Leap, and the net will appear.
Only the educated are free.
The friendship of Shostakovich cast a brilliant light over my whole life and whose spiritual qualities captured my soul once and for all time.