Of a truth, Knowledge is power, but it is a power reined by scruple, having a conscience of what must be and what may be; whereas Ignorance is a blind giant who, let him but wax unbound, would make it a sport to seize the pillars that hold up the long-wrought fabric of human good, and turn all the places of joy as dark as a buried Babylon.

there are two ways of speaking an audience will always like: one is, to tell them what they don't understand; and the other is, to tell them what they're used to.

This is a puzzling world, and Old Harry's got a finger in it.

There is nothing that will kill a man so soon as having nobody to find fault with but himself.

When what is good comes of age, and is likely to live, there is reason for rejoicing.

There is only one failure in life possible, and that is not to be true to the best one knows.

It is always chilling, in friendly intercourse, to say you have no opinion to give.