Some will read only old books, as if there were no valuable truths to be discovered in modern publications: others will only read new books, as if some valuable truths are not among the old. Some will not read a book because they know the author: others . . . would also read the man.

What wonderful things are events! The least are of greater importance than the most sublime and comprehensive speculations.

All my successes have been built on my failures.

There are few young women in existence who have not the power of fascinating, if they choose to exert it.

Money is power, and rare are the heads that can withstand the possession of great power.

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

Patriotism depends as much on mutual suffering as on mutual success; and it is by that experience of all fortunes and all feelings that a great national character is created.