A just chastisement may benefit a man, though it seldom does; but an unjust one changes all his blood to gall.

The bread of bitterness is the food on which men grow to their fullest stature; the waters of bitterness are the debatable ford through which they reach the shores of wisdom; the ashes boldly grasped and eaten without faltering are the price that must be paid for the golden fruit of knowledge.

Scandals are like dandelion seeds--they are arrow-headed, and stick where they fall, and bring forth and multiply fourfold.

The art of pleasing is more based on the art of seeming pleased than people think of, and she disarmed the prejudices of her enemies by the unaffected delight she appeared to take in themselves.

The heart of silver falls ever into the hands of brass. The sensitive herb is eaten as grass by the swine.

Count art by gold, and it fetters the feet it once winged.

Hypocrites weep, and you cannot tell their tears from those of saints; but no bad man ever laughed sweetly yet.