For whence did Dante get the material for his hell, if not from this actual world of ours? And indeed he made a downright hell of it. - Arthur Schopenhauer

For where did Dante get the material for his Hell, if not from this actual world of ours?

To find out your real opinion of someone, judge the impression you have when you first see a letter from them.

That I could clamber to the frozen moon. And draw the ladder after me.

Zuvörderst nämlich wird eine Regierung nicht Leute besolden, um Dem, was sie durch tausend von ihr angestellte Priester, oder Religionslehrer, von allen Kanzeln verkünden läßt, direkt, oder auch nur indirekt, zu widersprechen. … Daher der Grundsatz improbant secus docentes.