There is such a torture, happily unknown to ancient tyranny, as talking a man to death. Marcus Aurelius advises to assent readily to great talkers--in hopes, I suppose, to put an end to the argument.

Sciences may be learned by rote, but wisdom not.

Men tire themselves in pursuit of rest.

Writings may be compared to wine. Sense is the strength, but wit the flavor.

My father, whose way was to force every event in nature into an hypothesis, by which means never man crucified TRUTH at the rate he did.

When the heart flies out before the understanding, it saves the judgment a world of pains.

I am persuaded ... that both man and woman bear pain or sorrow, (and, for aught I know, pleasure too) best in a horizontal position.