When a man has reached a condition in which he believes that a thing must happen because he does not wish it, and that what he wishes to happen never will be, this is really the state called desperation.

Scholars are those who have read in books, but thinkers, men of genius, world-enlighteners, and reformers of the human race are those who have read directly in the book of the world.

The wise have always said the same things, and fools, who are the majority have always done just the opposite.

Wealth is like sea-water; the more we drink, the thirstier we become; and the same is true of fame.

(Politeness is) a tacit agreement that people's miserable defects, whether moral or intellectual, shall on either side be ignored and not be made the subject of reproach.

First the truth is ridiculed. Then it meets outrage. Then it is said to have been obvious all along.

The safest way of not being very miserable is not to expect to be very happy.