To make astute people believe one is what one is not is, in most cases, harder than actually to become what one wishes to appear.

An hour-glass is a reminder not only of time's quick flight, but also of the dust to which we must at last return

We have to believe that everything has a cause, as the spider spins its web in order to catch flies. But it does this before it knows there are such things as flies.

Many intelligent people, when about to write . . . , force on their minds a certain notion about style, just as they screw up their faces when they sit for their portraits.

The most perfect ape cannot draw an ape; only man can do that; but, likewise, only man regards the ability to do this as a sign of superiority.

Everyone is perfectly willing to learn from unpleasant experience - if only the damage of the first lesson could be repaired.

It is too bad if you have to do everything upon reflection and can't do anything from early habit.