Reply to wit with gravity, and to gravity with wit.

Is there anything more tedious than the often repeated tales of the old and forgetful?

The mob is a monster, with the hands of Briareus, but the head of Polyphemus,--strong to execute, but blind to perceive.

The consequences of things are not always proportionate to the apparent magnitude of those events that have produced them. Thus the American Revolution, from which little was expected, produced much; but the French Revolution, from which much was expected, produced little.

The cynic who twitted Aristippus by observing that the philosopher who could dine on herbs might despise the company of a king, was well replied to by Aristippus, when he remarked that the philosopher who could enjoy the company or a king might also despise a dinner of herbs.

Men are born with two eyes, but with one tongue, in order that they should see twice as much as they say.

Custom looks to things that are past, and fashion to things that are present, but both of them are somewhat purblind as to things that are to come.