An official man is always an official man, and has a wild belief in the value of Reports.

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.

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

Remember that in giving any reason at all for refusing, you lay some foundation for a future request.

Selfishness, when it is punished by the world, is mostly punished because it is connected with egotism.

The reasons which any man offers to you for his own conduct betray his opinion of your character.

Simple ignorance has in its time been complimented by the names of most of the vices, and of all the virtues.