One may be humble out of pride.

In my opinion, the most fruitful and natural play of the mind is conversation. I find it sweeter than any other action in life; and if I were forced to choose, I think I would rather lose my sight than my hearing and voice. The study of books is a drowsy and feeble exercise which does not warm you up.

If my mind could gain a firm footing, I would not make essays, I would make decisions; but it is always in apprenticeship and on trial.

I am further of opinion that it would be better for us to have [no laws] at all than to have them in so prodigious numbers as we have.

If there is such a thing as a good marriage, it is because it resembles friendship rather than love.

I do not understand; I pause; I examine.

There is nothing in which a horse's power is better revealed than in a neat, clean stop.