The greatness of an artist or a writer does not depend on what he has in common with other artists and writers, but on what he has peculiar to himself.

A brave soul is a thing which all things serve.

Death, which we are accustomed to consider an evil, really acts for us the friendliest part, and takes away the commonplace of existence.

It is not of so much consequence what you say, as how you say it. Memorable sentences are memorable on account of some single irradiating word.

A man can bear a world's contempt when he has that within which says he's worthy. When he contemns himself, there burns the hell.

In life there is nothing more unexpected and surprising than the arrivals and departures of pleasure. If we find it in one place today, it is vain to seek it there tomorrow. You can not lay a trap for it.

There is a certain even-handed justice in Time; and for what he takes away he gives us something in return. He robs us of elasticity of limb and spirit, and in its place he brings tranquility and repose—the mild autumnal weather of the soul.