The first forty years of life give us the text; the next thirty supply the commentary on it.

Every original idea is first ridiculed, then vigorously attacked, and finally taken for granted.

Great men are like eagles, and build their nest on some lofty solitude.

It is difficult, if not impossible, to define the limit of our reasonable desires in respect of possessions.

Honor has not to be won; it must only not be lost.

To forgive and forget means to throw away dearly bought experience.

Students and scholars of all kinds and of every age aim, as a rule, only at information, not insight. They make it a point of honour to have information about everything, every stone, plant, battle, or experiment and about all books, collectively and individually. It never occurs to them that information is merely a means to insight, but in itself is of little or no value.