It is a human tendency "to measure truth and error by our capacity."

Marriage can be compared to a cage: birds outside it despair to enter, and birds within, to escape.

To how many blockheads of my time has a cold and taciturn demeanor procured the credit of prudence and capacity!

There is no desire more natural than the desire of knowledge. (Il n'est desir plus naturel que le desir de connaissance)

Whenever a new discovery is reported to the world, they say first, It is probably not true, Then after, when the truth of the new proposition has been demonstrated beyond question, they say, Yes, it may be true, but it is not important. Finally, when sufficient time has elapsed to fully evidence its importance, they say, Yes, surely it is important, but it is no longer new.

The most useful and honorable science and occupation for a woman is the science of housekeeping. I know some that are miserly, very few that are good managers.

In general I ask for books that make use of learning, not those that build it up.