The great secret of succeeding in conversation is to admire little, to hear much; always to distrust our own reason, and sometimes that of our friends; never to pretend to wit, but to make that of others appear as much as possibly we can; to hearken to what is said and to answer to the purpose.

...till we are uneasy in Rest, we can have no Desire to move, and without Desire of moving there can be no voluntary Motion.

Reading was the only amusement I allowed myself

The only time a question should be asked is when all other possibilities of finding the answer for yourself have been eliminated.

If you know how to spend less than you get, you have the philosopher's stone.

The handshake of the host affects the taste of the roast

An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.