Is he mad? Anyway there's something on his mind, as sure as there must be something on a deck when it cracks.

In some things, we Americans leave to other countries the carrying out of the principle that stands at the head of our Declaration of Independence.

But when a man suspects any wrong it sometimes happens that if he be already involved in the matter he insensibly strives to cover up his suspicions even from himself. And much this way it was with me. I said nothing and tried to think nothing.

As with ships, so with men; he who turns his back to his foe gives him an advantage.

At my years, and with my disposition, or rather, constitution, one gets to care less and less for everything except downright goodfeeling. Life is so short, and so ridiculous and irrational (from a certain point of view) that one knows not what to make of it, unless--well, finish the sentence for yourself.

There seems no reason why patriotism and narrowness should go together, or why intellectual impartiality should be confounded with political trimming, or why serviceable truth should keep cloistered be a cause not partisan.

And the visible world seems formed in love, the invisible spheres were formed in fright.