A monarchy is like a man-of-war--bad shots between wind and water hurt it exceedingly; there is danger of capsizing. But democracy is a raft. You cannot easily overturn it. It is a wet place, but it is a pretty safe one.

Pillow my head on no guesses when I die.

Our secret thoughts are rarely heard except in secret. No man knows what conscience is until he understands what solitude can teach him concerning it.

The Unknown is an ocean. What is conscience? The compass of the Unknown.

Of all my wife's relations I like myself the best.

It is not always the highest talent that thrives best. Mediocrity, with tact, will outweigh talent oftentimes.

A thinker is a person.