Rare almost as great poets, rarer, perhaps, than veritable saints and martyrs; are consummate men of business. A man, to be excellent in this way, requires a great knowledge of character, with that exquisite tact which feels unerringly the right moment when to act. A discreet rapidity must pervade all the movements of his thought and action. He must be singularly free from vanity, and is generally found to be an enthusiast who has the art to conceal his enthusiasm.

Reading is sometimes an ingenious device for avoiding thought.

Tolerance is the only real test of civilization.

The worst use that can be made of success is to boast of it.

The man who could withstand, with his fellow-men in single line, a charge of cavalry may lose all command of himself on the occurrence of a fire in his own house, because of some homely reminiscence unknown to the observing bystander.

The apparent foolishness of others is but too frequently our own ignorance.

Wise sayings often fall on barren ground, but a kind word is never thrown away.