Progress, far from consisting in change, depends on retentiveness. When change is absolute there remains no being to improve and no direction is set for possible improvement: and when experience is not retained, as among savages, infancy is perpetual.

Never build your emotional life on the weaknesses of others.

In each person I catch the fleeting suggestion of something beautiful and swear eternal friendship with that.

I have no axe to grind; only my thoughts to burnish.

The wisest mind has something yet to learn.

It takes patience to appreciate domestic bliss; volatile spirits prefer unhappiness.

Trust the man who hesitates in his speech and is quick and steady in action, but beware of long arguments and long beards.