What we anticipate seldom occurs; what we least expect generally happens.

The Greeks adored their gods by the simple compliment of kissing their hands; and the Romans were treated as atheists if they would not perform the same act when they entered a temple. This custom, however, as a religious ceremony declined with paganism,but was continued as a salutation by inferiors to their superiors, or as a token of esteem among friends.

There is no wisdom like frankness.

A book may be as great a thing as a battle.

The world is devoted to physical science, because it believes theses discoveries will increase its capacity of luxury and self-indulgence. But the pursuit of science only leads to the insoluble.

I think that an author who speaks about his own books is almost as bad as a mother who talks about her own children.

The services in wartime are fit only for desperadoes, but in peace are only fit for fools.