Inspiration is never genuine if it is known as inspiration at the time. True inspiration always steals on a person; its importance not being fully recognized for some time.

Any fool can tell the truth, but it requires a man of some sense to know how to lie well.

It is not sufficiently considered in the hour of exultation, that all human excellence is comparative; that no man performs much but in proportion to what other accomplish, or to the time and opportunities which have been allowed him.

Justice is my being allowed to do whatever I like. Injustice is whatever prevents my doing so.

The public buys its opinions as it buys its meat, or takes in its milk, on the principle that it is cheaper to do this than to keep a cow. So it is, but the milk is more likely to be watered.

Arguments are like fire-arms which a man may keep at home but should not carry about with him.

Since God himself cannot change the past, He is obliged to tolerate the existence of historians.