There is nothing more beautiful than cheerfulness in an old face, and among country people it is always a sign of a well-regulated life.

According to Democritus, truth lies at the bottom of a well, the water of which serves as a mirror in which objects may be reflected. I have heard, however, that some philosophers, in seeking for truth, to pay homage to her, have seen their own image and adored it instead.

The usual designation of the magnitude scale to my name does less than justice to the great part that Dr. Gutenberg played in extending the scale to apply to earthquakes in all parts of the world.

it is good to have measured myself, to recognize my limitations.

Don't wait for extraordinary circumstance to do good; try to use ordinary situations.

No joy in nature is so sublimely affecting as the joy of a mother at the good fortune of a child.

Most loss of life and property has been due to the collapse of antiquated and unsafe structures, mostly of brick and other masonry. ... There is progress of California toward building new construction according to earthquake-resistant design. We would have less reason to ask for earthquake prediction if this was universal.