Our globe discovers its bidden virtues, not only in heroes and arch-angels, but in gossips and nurses.

Defect in manners is usually the defect of fine perceptions. Elegance comes of no breeding, but of birth.

There is no beautifier of complexion, or form, or behavior, like the wish to scatter joy and not pain around us.

Proportion is almost impossible to human beings. There is no one who does not exaggerate.

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.

Nature never wears a mean appearance. Neither does the wisest man extort her secret, and lose his curiosity by finding out all her perfection.

The virtue of books is to be readable.