For an author to write as he speaks is just as reprehensible as the opposite fault, to speak as he writes; for this gives a pedantic effect to what he says, and at the same time makes him hardly intelligible.

If we suspect that a man is lying, we should pretend to believe him; for then he becomes bold and assured, lies more vigorously, and is unmasked.

That the outer man is a picture of the inner, and the face an expression and revelation of the whole character, is a presumption likely enough in itself, and therefore a safe one to go on; borne out as it is by the fact that people are always anxious to see anyone who has made himself famous. Photography offers the most complete satisfaction of our curiosity.

There is no more mistaken path to happiness than worldliness, revelry, high life.

The doctor sees all the weakness of mankind; the lawyer all the wickedness, the theologian all the stupidity.

A man can do what he wants, but not want what he wants.

A man who has not enough originality to think out a new title for his book will be much less capable of giving it new contents.