Extremely foolish advice is likely to be uttered by those who are looking at the laboring vessel from the land.

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

Always win fools first. They talk much, and what they have once uttered they will stick to; whereas there is always time, up to the last moment, to bring before a wise man arguments that may entirely change his opinion.

It has always appeared to me, that there is so much to be done in this world, that all self-inflicted suffering which cannot be turned to good account for others, is a loss - a loss, if you may so express it, to the spiritual world.

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

The measure of civilization in a people is to be found in its just appreciation of the wrongfulness of war.

Almost all human affairs are tedious. Everything is too long. Visits, dinners, concerts, plays, speeches, pleadings, essays, sermons, are too long. Pleasure and business labor equally under this defect, or, as I should rather say, this fatal super-abundance.