A great deal of talent is lost to the world for the want of a little courage. Every day sends to their graves a number of obscure men who have only remained obscure because their timidity has prevented them from making a first effort; and who, if they could only have been induced to begin, would in all probability have gone great lengths in the career of fame.

Avoid shame, but do not seek glory; nothing so expensive as glory.

Never try to reason the prejudice out of a man. It was not reasoned into him, and cannot be reasoned out.

What would life be without arithmetic, but a scene of horrors?

When I hear any man talk of an unalterable law, the only effect it produces on me is to convince me that he is an unalterable fool

Manners are the shadows of virtues; the momentary display of those qualities which our fellow creatures love, and respect.

I look upon Switzerland as an inferior sort of Scotland.