Politeness is to human nature what warmth is to wax.

The weakness of their reasoning faculty also explains why women show more sympathy for the unfortunate than men;... and why, on the contrary, they are inferior to men as regards justice, and less honourable and conscientious.

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

Newspapers are the second hand of history. This hand, however, is usually not only of inferior metal to the other hands, it also seldom works properly.

We seldom think of what we have but always of what we lack. Therefore, rather than grateful, we are bitter.

Vulgar people take huge delight in the faults and follies of great men.

Personal courage is really a very subordinate virtue-a virtue, indeed, in which we are surpassed by the lower animals; or else you would not hear people say, as brave as a lion.