An empire is an immense egotism.

We learn geology the morning after the earthquake, on ghastly diagrams of cloven mountains, upheaved plains, and the dry bed of the sea.

The man of genius inspires us with a boundless confidence in our own powers.

Being perfectly well-dressed gives a feeling of tranquillity that religion is powerless to bestow.

Shall I tell you the secret of the true scholar? It is this: every man I meet is my master in some point, and in that I learn of him.

Guard well your spare moments. They are like uncut diamonds. Discard them and their value will never be known. Improve them and they will become the brightest gems in a useful life.

The people know that they need in their representative much more than talent, namely, the power to make his talent trusted.