The world only goes forward because of those who oppose it.

Writing is busy idleness.

Who can think wise or stupid things at all that were not thought already in the past.

It would not be worth your while to reach the age of seventy if all the wisdom of the world were to be foolishness before God.

The works of Lavoisier and his associates operated upon many of us at that time like the Sun's rising after a night of moonshine: but Chemistry is now betrothed to the Mathematics, and is in consequence grown somewhat shy of her former admirers.

To make something you have to be something.

Be generous with kindly words, especially about those who are absent.