All men plume themselves on the improvement of society, and no man improves.

Talent is commonly developed at the expense of character.

To finish the moment, to find the journey's end in every step of the road, to live the greatest number of good hours, is wisdom. It is not the part of men, but of fanatics, or of mathematicians, if you will, to say, that, the shortness of life considered, it is not worth caring whether for so short a duration we were sprawling in want, or sitting high. Since our office is with moments, let us husband them.

Every novel is a debtor to Homer.

Life wastes itself whilst we are preparing to live.

The day is always his, who works in it with serenity and great aims.

If we encounter a man of rare intellect, we should ask him what books he reads.