Nine-tenths of all existing books are nonsense.

The difference between a misfortune and a calamity is this: If Gladstone fell into the Thames, it would be a misfortune. But if someone dragged him out again, that would be a calamity.

Predominant opinions are generally the opinions of the generation that is vanishing.

I grew intoxicated with my own eloquence.

The secret of success is constancy to purpose.

You must originate, and you must sympathize; yon must possess, at the same time, the habit of communicating and the habit of listening. The union is rather rare, but irresistible.

The tone and tendency of liberalism...is to attack the institutions of the country under the name of reform and to make war on the manners and customs of the people under the pretext of progress.