I read for three things; first, to know what the world has done the last twenty-four hours, and is about to do today; second, for the knowledge that I specially want in my work; and third, for what will bring my mind into a proper mood.

A cunning man overreaches no one half as much as himself.

No man rides so high and in such good company as the man that allies himself to a truth.

A cobweb is as good as the mightiest cable when there is strain upon it.

There is no such thing as white lies; a lie is as black as a coalpit, and twice as foul.

Nothing dies so hard, or rallies so often as intolerance.

Poverty is very good in poems but very bad in the house; very good in maxims and sermons but very bad in practical life.