Noise is the most impertinent of all forms of interruption. It is not only an interruption, but also a disruption of thought.

Pleasure is never as pleasant as we expected it to be and pain is always more painful. The pain in the world always outweighs the pleasure. If you don't believe it, compare the respective feelings of two animals, one of which is eating the other.

Wicked thoughts and worthless efforts gradually set their mark on the face, especially the eyes.

Every possession and every happiness is but lent by chance for an uncertain time, and may therefore be demanded back the next hour.

Great minds are related to the brief span of time during which they live as great buildings are to a little square in which they stand: you cannot see them in all their magnitude because you are standing too close to them.

With health, everything is a source of pleasure; without it, nothing else, whatever it may be, is enjoyable...Healt h is by far the most important element in human happiness.

Religion is the masterpiece of the art of animal training, for it trains people as to how they shall think.