The imagination acquires by custom a certain involuntary, unconscious power of observation and comparison, correcting its own mistakes, and arriving at precision of judgment, just as the outward eye is disciplined to compare, adjust, estimate, measure, the objects reflected on the back of its retina.
Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron LyttonNever get a reputation for a small perfection if you are trying for fame in a loftier area. The world can only judge by generals, and it sees that those who pay considerable attention to minutiae seldom have their minds occupied with great things.
Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron LyttonA man's own conscience is his sole tribunal, and he should care no more for that phantom "opinion" than he should fear meeting a ghost if he crossed the churchyard at dark.
Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron LyttonWhen a person is down in the world, an ounce of help is better than a pound of preaching.
Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron LyttonIn how large a proportion of creatures is existence composed of one ruling passion, the most agonizing of all sensations--fear.
Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton