Gross and obscure natures, however decorated, seem impure shambles; but character gives splendor to youth, and awe to wrinkled skin and gray hairs.

Never try to make anyone like you: you know, and God knows, that one of you is enough.

A man's power to connect his thought with its proper symbol, and so to utter it, depends on the simplicity of his character, that is, upon his love of truth, and his desire to communicate it without loss.

Only by obedience to his genius; only by the freest activity in the way constitutional to him, does an angel seem to arise beforea man, and lead him by the hand out of all the wards of the prison.

The most advanced nations are always those who navigate the most.

To live the greatest number of good hours is wisdom.

We do what we can, and then make a theory to prove our performance the best.