There are only two lasting bequests we can hope to give our children. One of these is roots, the other, wings.

Wood burns because it has the proper stuff in it; and a man becomes famous because he has the proper stuff in him.

Begin by instructing yourself, then you will receive instruction from others.

Everyone believes in his youth that the world really began with him, and that all merely exists for his sake.

Oh happy he who still can hope in our day to breathe the truth while plunged in seas of error! What we don't know is really what we need, and what we know is of no use to us whatever!

Poor fool! in whose petty estimation all things are little.

Don't dissipate your powers; strive to concentrate them. Genius thinks it can do whatever it sees others doing, but it will surely repent of every ill-judged outlay.