When we do not know a person - and also when we do - we have to judge his size by the size and nature of his achievements, as compared with the achievements of others in his special line of business - there is no other way.

To one in sympathy with nature, each season, in its turn, seems the loveliest.

As soon as a man recognizes that he has drifted into age, he gets reminiscent. He wants to talk and talk; and not about the present or the future, but about his old times. For there is where the pathos of his life lies - and the charm of it. The pathos of it is there because it was opulent with treasures that are gone, and the charm of it is in casting them up from the musty ledgers and remembering how rich and gracious they were.

Some people give their problems swimming lessons instead of drowning them.

Damn the subjunctive. It brings all our writers to shame.

If books are not good company, where shall I find it?

It is noble to teach oneself; it is still nobler to teach others.