You cannot give anything to a magnanimous person. After you have served him, he at once puts you in debt by his magnanimity.

Curiosity is lying in wait for every secret.

Character is higher than intellect. Thinking is the function; living is the functionary.

In the country, without any interference from the law, the agricultural life favors the permanence of families.

When he is pushed, tormented, defeated, he has a chance to learn something; he has been put on his wits, on his manhood; he has gained facts; learns his ignorance; is cured of the insanity of conceit; has got moderation and real skill.

Nature is a rag-merchant, who works up every shred and ort and end into new creations; like a good chemist, whom I found, the other day, in his laboratory, converting his old shirts into pure white sugar.

Truth is too simple for us: we do not like those who unmask our illusions.