A man's heart must be very frivolous if the possession of fame rewards the labor to attain it. For the worst of reputation is that it is not palpable or present - we do not feel or see or taste it.

Books are but waste paper unless we spend in action the wisdom we get from thought.

Expression is the mystery of beauty.

The public man needs but one patron, namely, the lucky moment.

When you talk to the half-wise, twaddle; when you talk to the ignorant, brag; when you talk to the sagacious, look very humble and ask their opinion.

A sense of contentment makes us kindly and benevolent to others; we are not chafed and galled by cares which are tyrannical because original. We are fulfilling our proper destiny, and those around us feel the sunshine of our own hearts.

A man of genius is inexhaustible only in proportion as he is always renourishing his genius.