A harmless hilarity and a buoyant cheerfulness are not infrequent concomitants of genius; and we are never more deceived than when we mistake gravity for greatness, solemnity for science, and pomposity for erudition.

Make the most of the day, by determining to spend it on two sorts of acquaintances only--those by whom something may be got, and those from whom something may be learned.

If we look backwards to antiquity it should be as those that are winning a race.

The policy that can strike only while the iron is hot will be overcome by that perseverance, which ... can make that iron hot by striking and he that can only rule the storm must yield to him who can both raise and rule it.

If a horse has four legs, and I'm riding it, I think I can win.

Those that know the least of others think the highest of themselves.

Bed is a bundle of paradoxes: we go to it with reluctance, yet we quit it with regret.