Ignorance may find a truth on its doorstep that erudition vainly seeks in the stars.

When a learner, in the fullness of his powers, comes to great truths unstaled by premature familiarity, he rejoices in the lateness of his lessons.

A calculating engine is one of the most intricate forms of mechanism, a telegraph key one of the simplest. But compare their value.

Ten builders rear an arch, each in turn lifting it higher; but it is the tenth man, who drops in the keystone, who hears our huzzas.

Let truth be a banner big enough to hide the man who holds it up.

Degree is much: the whole Atlantic might be lukewarm and never boil us a potato.

Some young folks have wind-fall minds, prematurely detached from the tree of knowledge for a life-long sourness and pettiness.