There is a fellowship more quiet even than solitude, and which, rightly understood, is solitude made perfect.

To the old our mouths are always partly closed; we must swallow our obvious retorts and listen. They sit above our heads, on life's raised dais, and appeal at once to our respect and pity.

Death is given in a kiss; the dearest kindnesses are fatal; and into this life, where one thing preys upon another, the child too often makes its entrance from the mother's corpse.

To have suffered ... sets a keen edge on what remains of the agreeable. This is a great truth and has to be learned in the fire.

Fear is the strong passion; it is with fear that you must trifle, if you wish to taste the intensest joys of living.

A bottle of good wine, like a good act, shines ever in the retrospect.

The truth that is suppressed by friends is the readiest weapon of the enemy.