"We ought to thank God for that. Yes, the man who tills the land is more worthy of respect than any."

"Always think of what is useful and not what is beautiful. Beauty will come of its own accord."

"Countless as the sands of the sea are human passions."

"Let me warn you, if you start chasing after views, you'll be left without bread and without views."

"You can't imagine how stupid the whole world has grown nowadays."

"They're thinking of turning the peasant into an educated man. Why, first of all they should make him a good and prosperous farmer and then he'll learn all that is necessary for him to know."

"The experience of ages has shown that a man who works on the land is purer, nobler, higher, and more moral... Agriculture should be at the basis of everything. That's my idea."

"Whatever you may say, the body depends on the soul."

"There are certain words which are nearer and dearer to a man than any others."

"It is no use to blame the looking glass if your face is awry."

"The Lord grant we may all be tillers of the soil."

"Everywhere across whatever sorrows of which our life is woven, some radiant joy will gaily flash past."