The greatest achievements of the human mind are generally received with distrust.

Just as the largest library, badly arranged, is not so useful as a very moderate one that is well arranged, so the greatest amount of knowledge, if not elaborated by our own thoughts, is worth much less than a far smaller volume that has been abundantly and repeatedly thought over.

Patriotism is the passion of fools and the most foolish of passions.

No rose without a thorn but many a thorn without a rose.

Many undoubtedly owe their good fortune to the circumstance that they possess a pleasing smile with which they win hearts. Yet these hearts would do better to beware and to learn from Hamlet's tables that one may smile, and smile, and be a villain.

Happiness consists in frequent repetition of pleasure

Talent hits a target no one else can hit; Genius hits a target no one else can see.