The real man is one who always finds excuses for others, but never excuses himself.

No emotion, any more than a wave, can long retain its own individual form.

The beginnings of moral enterprises in this world are never to be measured by any apparent growth. ... At length comes the sudden ripeness and the full success, and he who is called in at the final moment deems this success his own. He is but the reaper and not the labourer. Other men sowed and tilled and he but enters into their labours.

Sometimes fear is wholesome and rational; it is well to swing fear as a mighty battle-axe over men's heads when no other motive will move them.

Most of the debts of Europe represent condensed drops of blood.

It takes longer for man to find out man than any other creature that is made.

Next to victory, there is nothing so sweet as defeat, if only the right adversary overcomes you.