Power resides in the moment of transition from a past to a new state.

Nature is a frugal mother, and never gives without measure. When she has work to do, she qualifies men for that and sends them equipped.

Everything in the universe goes by indirection. There are no straight lines.

One single idea may have greater weight than all the men, animals, and machines for a century.

Sentimentalists ... adopt whatever merit is in good repute, and almost make it hateful with their praise. The warmer their expressions, the colder we feel.... Cure the drunkard, heal the insane, mollify the homicide, civilize the Pawnee, but what lessons can be devised for the debauchee of sentiment?

Eloquence must be grounded on the plainest narrative.

Nature never sends a great man into the planet, without confiding the secret to another soul.