To the sick, indeed, nature is sick, but to the well, a fountain of health.

Nowadays the host does not admit you to his hearth, but has got the mason to build one for yourself somewhere in his alley, and hospitality is the art of keeping you at the greatest distance.

In ancient days the Pythagoreans were used to change names with each other,--fancying that each would share the virtues they admired in the other.

In proportion as our inward life fails, we go more constantly and desperately to the post office. You may depend on it, that the poor fellow who walks away with the greatest number of letters, proud of his extensive correspondence, has not heard from himself this long while.

Pity the man who has a character to support - it is worse than a large family - he is silent poor indeed.

A man can suffocate on courtesy.

In the long run, men hit only what they aim at. Therefore, they had better aim at something high.