Knowledge is power only if man knows what facts not to bother with.

Cut quarrels out of literature, and you will have very little history or drama or fiction or epic poetry left.

Every man of genius is considerably helped by being dead.

Most of us can remember a time when a birthday - especially if it was one's own - brightened the world as if a second sun has risen.

Friendship will not stand the strain of very much good advice for very long.

[History is] the story of the magnificent rear-guard action fought during several thousand years by dogma against curiosity.

One of the greatest joys known to man is to take a flight into ignorance in search of knowledge.