Conversation is interesting in proportion to the originality of the central ideas which serve as pivots and the fitness of the little facts and observations which are contributed by the talkers.

Of all intellectual friendships, none are so beautiful as those which subsist between old and ripe men and their younger brethren in science or literature or art. It is, by these private friendships, even more than by public performance, that the tradition of sound thinking and great doing is perpetuated from age to age.

The art of reading is to skip judiciously. Whole libraries may be skipped in these days, when we have the results of them in our modern culture without going over the ground again.

Unless a man works he cannot find out what he is able to do.

Society is, and must be, based upon appearances, and not upon the deepest appearances, and not realities.

Avowed work, even when uncongenial, is far less trying to patience than feigned pleasure.

Woe unto him that is never alone, and cannot bear to be alone.