The most civilized people are as near to barbarism as the most polished steel is to rust. Nations, like metals, have only a superficial brilliancy.

Man spends his life in reasoning on the past, in complaining of the present, in fearing future.

Speech is external thought, and thought internal speech.

The methods that help a man acquire a fortune are the very ones that keep him from enjoying it.

True felicity consists of its own consciousness.

Opinions, theories, and systems pass by turns over the grindstone of time, which at first gives them brilliancy and sharpness, but finally wears them out.

Cats don't caress us-they caress themselves on us.