He that is not open to conviction is not qualified for discussion.

One way in which fools succeed where wise men fail is that through ignorance of the danger they sometimes go coolly about a hazardous business.

Great affectation and great absence of it are at first sight very similar.

Geologists complain that when they want specimens of the common rocks of a country, they receive curious spars; just so, historians give us the extraordinary events and omit just what we want,--the every-day life of each particular time and country.

Habits are formed, not at one stroke, but gradually and insensibly; so that, unless vigilant care be employed, a great change may come over the character without our being conscious of any.

Controversy, though always an evil in itself, is sometimes a necessary evil.

It is the neglect of timely repair that makes rebuilding necessary.