The legitimate aim of criticism is to direct attention to the excellent. The bad will dig its own grave, and the imperfect may safely be left to that final neglect from which no amount of present undeserved popularity can rescue it.

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

It is seldom that we find out how great are our resources until we are thrown upon them.

Nature has provided for the exigency of privation, by putting the measure of our necessities far below the measure of our wants. Our necessities are to our wants as Falstaff's pennyworth of bread to his any quantity of sack.

There is great beauty in going through life without anxiety or fear. Half our fears are baseless, and the other half discreditable.

The busiest of living agents are certain dead men's thoughts.

All good writing leaves something unexpressed.