How little a thing can make us happy when we feel that we have earned it.

His head was an hour-glass; it could stow an idea, but it had to do it a grain at a time, not the whole idea at once.

We are always more anxious to be distinguished for a talent which we do not possess, than to be praised for the fifteen which we do possess. Sometimes we are too close to the scene, to see clearly. We "know" ourselves so well that we cannot see how we are perceived by others. Our opinion of ourselves is only "one" opinion and it may not be the truth.

Agassiz does recommend authors to eat fish, because the phosphorus in it makes brains. But I cannot help you to a decision about the amount you need to eat. Perhaps a couple of whales would be enough.

Against a diseased imagination demonstration goes for nothing.

I don't believe there is anything in the whole earth that you can't learn in Berlin except the German language.

Being rich ain't what it's cracked up to be. It's just worry and worry, and sweat and sweat, and a-wishing you was dead all the time.