Hoc age ['do this'] is the great rule, whether you are serious or merry; whether ... learning science or duty from a folio, or floating on the Thames. Intentions must be gathered from acts.

To do something is in every man's power.

Forgetfulness is necessary to remembrance. Ideas are retained by renovation of that impression which time is always wearing away,and which new images are striving to obliterate. If useless thoughts could be expelled from the mind, all the valuable parts of our knowledge would more frequently recur, and every recurrence would reinstate them in their former place.

You teach your daughters the diameters of the planets and wonder when you are done that they do not delight in your company.

Words are daughters of earth but ideas are sons of heaven.

The eye of the mind, like that of the body, can only extend its view to new objects, by losing sight of those which are now before it.

Golf is a game in which you claim the privileges of age, and retain the playthings of childhood.