The poor are the only consistent altruists; they sell all they have and give it to the rich.

The possession of a great many things, even the best of things, tends to blind one to the real value of anything.

The newest books are those that never grow old.

Why did Nature create man? Was it to show that she is big enough to make mistakes, or was it pure ignorance?

A good book is always on tap; it may be decanted and drunk a hundred times, and it is still there for further imbibement.

Past and present, it is all the same, books are necromancers, they exercise an influence more varied, more lasting, than any magic known to man.

Only one-fourth of the sorrow in each man's life is caused by outside uncontrollable elements, the rest is self-imposed by failing to analyze and act with calmness.