The key to the age may be this, or that, or the other, as the young orators describe; the key to all ages is - Imbecility; imbecility in the vast majority of men, at all times, and, even in heroes, in all but certain eminent moments; victims of gravity

Self-reliance is its aversion. It loves not realities and creators, but names and customs.

The finished man of the world must eat of every apple at once. He must hold his hatreds also at arm's length, and not remember spite. He has neither friends nor enemies, but values men only as channels of power.

The music that can deepest reach and cure all ill is cordial speech.

Luck is just another word for tenacity of purpose.

Speak what you think today in hard words and tomorrow speak what tomorrow thinks in hard words again, though it contradict every thing you said today.

The philosophy of waiting is sustained by all the oracles of the universe.