A Quote by Jean Paul Richter on army, character, friendship, individuality, influence, life, nations, spirit, teachers, and work

In later life, as in earlier, only a few persons influence the formation of our character; the multitude pass us by like a distant army. One friend, one teacher, one beloved, one club, one dining table, one work table are the means by which one's nation and the spirit of one's nation affect the individual.