What is called common sense is excellent in its department, and as invaluable as the virtue of conformity in the army and navy,--for there must be subordination,--but uncommon sense, that sense which is common only to the wisest, is as much more excellent as it is more rare.

I cannot easily buy a blank-book to write thoughts in; they are commonly ruled for dollars and cents.

We are all of us more or less active physiognomists.

Sobriety, severity, and self-respect are the foundations of all true sociality.

Do what nobody else can do for you. Omit to do anything else.

The highest that we can attain to is not Knowledge, but Sympathy with Intelligence.

I delight to come to my bearings,... not to live in this restless, nervous, bustling, trivial Nineteenth Century, but stand or sitthoughtfully while it goes by.