Of all forms of human error, prophesy is the most avoidable.

Life is like our game at whist ... I don't enjoy the game much, but I like to play my cards well, and see what will be the end of it.

My books don't seem to belong to me after I have once written them; and I find myself delivering opinions about them as if I had nothing to do with them.

Life is measured by the rapidity of change, the succession of influences that modify the being.

Susceptible persons are more affected by a change of tone that by unexpected words.

For what is love itself, for the one we love best? An enfolding of immeasurable cares which yet are better than any joys outside our love.

We are apt to think it the finest era of the world when America was beginning to be discovered, when a bold sailor, even if he were wrecked, might alight on a new kingdom.