Nothing is so perfectly amusing as a total change of ideas.

The most accomplished way of using books is to serve them as some people do lords; learn their titles and then brag of their acquaintance.

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.

Did ever woman, since the creation of the world, interrupt a man with such a silly question?

Almost one half of our time is spent in telling and hearing evil of one another ... and every hour brings forth something strange and terrible to fill up our discourse and our astonishment.

What a large volume of adventures may be grasped within this little span of life by him who interests his heart in every thing, and who, having eyes to see, what time and chance are perpetually holding out to him as he journeyeth on his way, misses nothing he can fairly lay his hands on.

In solitude the mind gains strength and learns to lean upon itself.