Heroism, self-denial, and magnanimity, in all instances where they do not spring from a principle of religion, are but splendid altars on which we sacrifice one kind of self-love to another.

Pedantry crams our heads with learned lumber and takes out our brains to make room for it.

Silence is foolish if we are wise, but wise if we are foolish.

He that can please nobody is not so much to be pitied as he that nobody can please.

He that places himself neither higher nor lower than he ought to do exercises the truest humility.

Examinations are formidable even to the best prepared, for the greatest fool may ask more than the wisest man can answer.

God will excuse our prayers for ourselves whenever we are prevented from them by being occupied in such good works as to entitle us to the prayers of others.