Amiel's Journal: The Journal Intime of Henri-Frédéric Amiel

"“Do not amend by reasoning, but by example; approach feeling by feeling; do not hope to excite love except by love.” "Reality, the present, the irreparable, the necessary, repel and even terrify me. I have too much imagination, conscience, and penetration and not enough character. The life of thought alone seems to me to have enough elasticity and immensity, to be free enough from the irreparable; practical life makes me afraid. I am distrustful of myself and of happiness because I know myself. The ideal poisons for me all imperfect possession. And I abhor useless regrets and repentance."