People who have read a good deal rarely make great discoveries. I do not say this in excuse of laziness, but because invention presupposes an extensive independent contemplation of things.

A book is a mirror: if an ape looks into it an apostle is hardly likely to look out.

People who never have any time on their hands are those who do the least.

Nothing can contribute more to peace of soul than the lack of any opinion whatever.

After all, is our idea of God anything more than personified incomprehensibility?

Even truth needs to be clad in new garments if it is to appeal to a new age.

He was then in his fifty-fourth year, when even in the case of poets reason and passion begin to discuss a peace treaty and usually conclude it not very long afterwards.