a generation that cannot endure boredom will be a generation of little men, of men unduly divorced from the slow process of nature, of men in whom every vital impulse slowly withers as though they were cut flowers in a vase.

The first man who said "fire burns" was employing scientific method, at any rate if he had allowed himself to be burnt several times. This man had already passed through the two stages of observation and generalization. He had not, however, what scientific technique demands - a careful choice of significant facts on the one hand, and, on the other hand, various means of arriving at laws otherwise than my mere generalization.

In the ordinary business of life punctuality is . . . necessary.

It is a waste of energy to be angry with a man who behaves badly, just as it is to be angry with a car that won't go.

Dr. Arnold . . . the admired reformer of public schools, came across some cranks who thought it a mistake to flog boys. Anyone reading his outburst of furious indignation against this opinion will be forced to the conclusion that he enjoyed inflicting floggings.

All great books contain boring portions, and all great lives have contained uninteresting stretches.

Both in thought and in feeling, even though time be real, to realise the unimportance of time is the gate of wisdom.