The solitary side of our nature demands leisure for reflection upon subjects on which the dash and whirl of daily business, so long as its clouds rise thick about us, forbid the intellect to fasten itself.

Wild animals never kill for sport. Man is the only one to whom the torture and death of his fellow creatures is amusing in itself.

The best that we can do for one another is to exchange our thoughts freely; and that, after all, is about all.

You cannot dream yourself into a character; you must hammer and forge yourself one.

What is called virtue in the common sense of the word has nothing to do with this or that man's prosperity, or even happiness.

A single seed of fact will produce in a season or two a harvest of calumnies; but sensible men will pay no attention to them.

Nature is less partial than she appears, and all situations in life have their compensations along with them.