It may be remarked in passing that success is an ugly thing. Men are deceived by its false resemblences to merit.

Great buildings, like great mountains, are the work of centuries.

Thought is the work of the intellect, reverie is its self-indulgence. To substitute day-dreaming for thought is to confuse a poison with a source of nourishment.

Let us fear ourselves. Prejudices are the real robbers; vices are the real murderers. The great dangers lie within ourselves.

Mirrors, those revealers of the truth, are hated; that does not prevent them from being of use.

The most ferocious animals are disarmed by caresses to their young.

When grace combines with wrinkles, it is admirable. There is an indescribable light of dawn about intensely happy old age. . . . The young person is handsome, but the old, superb.