A man is the prisoner of his power. A topical memory makes him an almanac; a talent for debate, disputant; skill to get money makes him a miser, that is, a beggar. Culture reduces these inflammations by invoking the aid of other powers against the dominant talent, and by appealing to the rank of powers. It watches success.

He that despiseth small things will perish by little and little.

As to methods, there may be a million and then some, but principles are few. The man who grasps principles can successfully select his own methods.

The machine unmakes the man. Now that the machine is so perfect, the engineer is nobody.

Beauty without grace is the hook without the bait.

Manners have been somewhat cynically defined to be a contrivance of wise men to keep fools at a distance. Fashion is shrewd to detect those who do not belong to her train, and seldom wastes her attentions. Society is very swift in its instincts, and if you do not belong to it, resists and sneers at you, or quietly drops you.

If you would rule the world quietly, you must keep it amused.