I am always nearest to myself," says the Latin proverb.

Many politicians are in the habit of laying it down as a self-evident proposition that no people ought to be free till they are fit to use their freedom. The maxim is worthy of the fool in the old story who resolved not to go into the water till he had learned to swim.

In Plato's opinion, man was made for philosophy; in Bacon's opinion, philosophy was made for man.

We know no spectacle so ridiculous as the British public in one of its periodical fits of morality.

The most beautiful object in the world, it will be allowed, is a beautiful woman.

If anybody would make me the greatest king that ever lived, with palaces, and gardens and fine dinners, and wine, and coaches, and beautiful clothes, and hundreds of servants, on condition that I would not read books, I would not be a king.

People who take no pride in the noble achievements of remote ancestors will never achieve anything worthy to be remembered with pride by remote descendants.