An absent friend gives us friendly company when we are well assured of his happiness.

Old age is never honored among us, but only indulged, as childhood is; and old men lose one of the most precious rights of man,--that of being judged by their peers.

Superstition is part of the poetry of life.

One can stand anything except a succession of ordinary days

Plunge boldly into the thick of life!

The most damaging prejudice consists of banning any kind of investigation of nature.

It is a maxim of wise government to treat people not as they should be but as they actually are.