Any affectation whatsoever in dress implies, in my mind, a flaw in the understanding.

Men, as well as women, are much oftener led by their hearts than by their understandings.

At any age we must cherish illusions, consolatory or merely pleasant; in youth, they are omnipresent; in old age we must search for them, or even invent them. But with all that, boredom is their natural and inevitable accompaniment.

The best way to compel weak-minded people to adopt our opinion, is to frighten them from all others, by magnifying their danger.

Never write down your speeches beforehand; if you do, you may perhaps be a good declaimer, but will never be a debater.

To know a little of anything gives neither satisfaction nor credit, but often brings disgrace or ridicule.

Knowledge is a comfortable and necessary retreat and shelter for us in an advanced age; and if we do not plant it while young, it will give us no shade when we grow old.