Life is divided into three periods: that which has been, that which is, that which will be. Of these the present is short, the future is doubtful, the past is certain.

In my own time there have been inventions of this sort, transparent windows tubes for diffusing warmth equally through all parts of a building short-hand, which has been carried to such a perfection that a writer can keep pace with the most rapid speaker. But the inventing of such things is drudgery for the lowest slaves; philosophy lies deeper. It is not her office to teach men how to use their hands. The object of her lessons is to form the soul.

If you will fear nothing, think that all things are to be feared.

The part of life which we really live is short.

Speech is the index of the mind.

There is nothing after death, and death itself is nothing.

It is sweet to mingle tears with tears; Griefs, where they wound in solitude, Wound more deeply.