The Breath becomes a stone; the stone, a plant; the plant, an animal; the animal, a man; the man, a spirit; and the spirit, a god.

Sensitiveness is closely allied to egotism; and excessive sensibility is only another name for morbid self-consciousness. The cure for tender sensibilities is to make more of our objects and less of our selves.

Dishonest people conceal their faults from themselves as well as others, honest people know and confess them.

It is of very little use in trying to be dignified, if dignity is no part of your character.

Melancholy sees the worst of things...[rather than the best]

Few minds wear out; more rust out.

Pleasure and pain spring not so much from the nature of things, as from our manner of considering them. Pleasure, especially, is never an invariable effect of particular circumstances.