I believe it is the conviction of the purest men, that the net amount of man and man does not much vary. Each is incomparably superior to his companion in some faculty. His want of skill in other directions, has added to his fitness for his own work.

Do not say things. What you are stands over you the while, and thunders, so that I cannot hear what you say to the contrary.

Almost every man we meet requires some civility; requires to be humored; - he has some fame, some talent, some whim of religion or philanthropy in his head that is not to be questioned, and which spoils all conversation with him. But a friend is a sane man who exercises not my ingenuity, but me.

When we have arrived at the question, the answer is already near.

Good breeding, a union of kindness and independence.

There is always a certain meanness in the argument of conservatism, joined with a certain superiority in its fact.

We don't grow old. When we cease to grow, we become old.