If a man can have only one kind of sense, let him have common sense. If he has that and uncommon sense too, he is not far from genius.

Success surely comes with conscience in the long run, other things being equal. Capacity and fidelity are commercially profitable qualities.

The gravest events dawn with no more noise than the morning star makes in rising. All great developments complete themselves in the world and modestly wait in silence, praising themselves never, and announcing themselves not at all. We must be sensitive, and sensible, if we would see the beginnings and endings of great things. That is our part.

Men strengthen each other in their faults. Those who are alike associate together, repeat the things which all believe, defend and stimulate their common faults of disposition, and each one receives from the others a reflection of his own egotism.

We know much of a writer by his style. An open and imperious disposition is shown in short sentences, direct and energetic. A secretive and proud mind is cold and obscure in style. An affectionate and imaginative nature pours out luxuriantly, and blossoms all over with ornament.

The first hour of the morning is the rudder of the day.

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