The world is a thing that a man must learn to despise, and even to neglect, before he can learn to reverence it, and work in it and for it.

Popular opinion is the greatest lie in the world.

A force as of madness in the hands of reason has done all that was ever done in the world.

But the whim we have of happiness is somewhat thus. By certain valuations, and averages, of our own striking, we come upon some sort of average terrestrial lot; this we fancy belongs to us by nature, and of indefeasible rights. It is simple payment of our wages, of our deserts; requires neither thanks nor complaint. Foolish soul! What act of legislature was there that thou shouldst be happy? A little while ago thou hadst no right to be at all.

Biography is the most universally pleasant and profitable of all reading.

History, as it lies at the root of all science, is also the first distinct product of man's spiritual nature, his earliest expression of what may be called thought.

If a book comes from the heart, it will contrive to reach other hearts; all art and author-craft are of small amount to that.