An act by which we make one friend and one enemy is a losing game; because revenge is a much stronger principle than gratitude

Any one can give advice, such as it is, but only a wise man knows how to profit by it.

Ambition makes the same mistake concerning power that avarice makes concerning wealth. She begins by accumulating power as a means to happiness, and she finishes by continuing to accumulate it as an end.

If our eloquence be directed above the heads of our hearers, we shall do no execution. By pointing our arguments low, we stand a chance of hitting their hearts as well as their heads. In addressing angels, we could hardly raise our eloquence too high; but we must remember that men are not angels.

The seeds of repentance are sown in youth by pleasure, but the harvest is reaped in age by pain.

If Satan ever laughs, it must be at hypocrites; they are the greatest dupes he has.

We should choose our books as we would our companions, for their sterling and intrinsic merit.