Some men at the approach of a dispute neigh like horses. Unless there be an argument, they think nothing is doing. Some talkers excel in the precision with which they formulate their thoughts, so that you get from them somewhat to remember; others lay criticism asleep by a charm. Especially women use words that are not words,--as steps in a dance are not steps,--but reproduce the genius of that they speak of; as the sound of some bells makes us think of the bell merely, whilst the church chimes in the distance bring the church and its serious memories before us.

No one can cheat you out of ultimate success but yourself.

But a public oration is an escapade, a non-committal, an apology, a gag, and not a communication, not a speech, not a man.

I can reason down or deny everything, except this perpetual Belly: feed he must and will, and I cannot make him respectable.

Give me truths for I am weary of the surfaces.

The mark of a man of the world is absence of pretension.

It is bad enough that our geniuses cannot do anything useful, but it is worse that no man is fit for society who has fine traits.He is admired at a distance, but he cannot come near without appearing a cripple.