Children must be rendered reasonable, but not reasoners. The first thing to teach them is that it is reasonable for them to obey, and unreasonable for them to dispute.

Grace imitates modesty, as politeness imitates kindness.

What can one possibly introduce into a mind that is already full, and full of itself?

Which is more misshapen,--religion without virtue, or virtue without religion?

Old age deprives the intelligent man only of qualities useless to wisdom.

Words, like glasses, obscure everything they do not make clear. Before using a fine word, make a place for it.

All are born to observe order, but few are born to establish it.