A writer who wishes to be read by posterity must not be averse to putting hints which might give rise to whole books, or ideas for learned discussions, in some corner of a chapter so that one should think he can afford to throw them away by the thousand.

To many people virtue consists chiefly in repenting faults, not in avoiding them.

As I take up my pen I feel myself so full, so equal to my subject, and see my book so clearly before me in embryo, I would almost like to try to say it all in a single word.

The highest level than can be reached by a mediocre but experienced mind is a talent for uncovering the weaknesses of those greater than itself.

Some theories are good for nothing except to be argued about.

Many are less fortunate than you' may not be a roof to live under, but it will serve to retire beneath in the event of a shower.

What most clearly characterizes true freedom and its true employment is its misemployment.