Great minds tend toward banality. It is the noblest effort of individualism. But it implies a sort of modesty, which is so rare that it is scarcely found except in the greatest, or in beggars. Andre Gide More Quotes by Andre Gide More Quotes From Andre Gide The reasons that drive me to write are many and the most important are the most secret, I think. Perhaps most of all this: to put something out of death's reach. Andre Gide secret writing thinking Families, I hate you! Shut-in homes, closed doors, jealous possessors of happiness Andre Gide jealousy hate home There are admirable potentialities in every human being. Andre Gide admirable human-beings humans A man thinks he owns things, and it is he who is owned Andre Gide men thinking A caterpillar who seeks to know himself would never become a butterfly Andre Gide caterpillars know-thyself butterfly The capacity to get free is nothing; the capacity to be free is the task. Andre Gide tasks capacity Long only for what you have. Andre Gide long The true return to nature is the definitive return to the elements-death. Andre Gide elements return nature Wisdom comes not from reason but from love. Andre Gide reason Though a revolution may call itself "national," it always marks the victory of a single party. Andre Gide victory party may Believe those who seek the truth, doubt those who find it; doubt all, but do not doubt yourself. Andre Gide truth profound believe It is better to be hated for what you are than to be loved for what you are not. Andre Gide Dare to be yourself. Andre Gide It is better to be hated for what you are than loved for what you are not. Andre Gide Believe those who are seeking the truth. Doubt those who find it. Andre Gide Know thyself? A maxim as pernicious as it is ugly. Whoever observes himself arrests his own development. A caterpillar who wanted to know itself well would never become a butterfly. Andre Gide Man cannot discover new oceans (high sea) unless he has the courage to lose sight of the shore.' Andre Gide Man cannot discover new oceans unless he has the courage to lose sight of the shore. Andre Gide One doesn't discover new lands without consenting to lose sight of the shore for a very long time. Andre Gide There are admirable potentialities in every human being. Believe in your strength and your youth. Learn to repeat endlessly to yourself, 'It all depends on me.' Andre Gide