What God lacks is convictions- stability of character. He ought to be a Presbyterian or a Catholic or something- not try to be everything.

As a rule we develop a borrowed European idea forward, and ... Europe develops a borrowed American idea backwards.

As I have said before, I never had any large respect for good spelling. That is my feeling yet. Before the spelling-book came with its arbitrary forms, men unconsciously revealed shades of their characters, and also added enlightening shades of expression to what they wrote by their spelling, and so it is possible that the spelling-book has been a doubtful benevolence to us.

Those who say truth is stranger than fiction have wasted their time on poorly written fiction.

There have been innumerable Temporary Seekers after the Truth-have you ever heard of a permanent one?

Don't tell fish stories where the people know you; but particularly, don't tell them where they know the fish.

Such is professional jealousy; a scientist will never show any kindness for a theory which he did not start himself.