The man who is a pessimist before 48 knows too much; if he is an optimist after it, he knows too little.

If we read the words and attitudes of the past through the pompous "wisdom" of the considered moral judgments of the present, we will find nothing but error.

I'm the only person who has ever found the right way to build an autobiography.

And so when I couldn't stand it no longer, I lit out. I got into my old rags and my sugar-hogshead again, and was free and satisfied.

The radical of one century is the conservative of the next. The radical invents the views. When he has worn them out, the conservative adopt.

Monarchies, aristocracies, and religions....there was never a country where the majority of the people were in their secret hearts loyal to any of these institutions.

Never put off till tomorrow what you can do day after tomorrow just as well.