Great men, even during their lifetime, are usually known to the public only through a fictitious personality.

Success makes men rigid and they tend to exalt stability over all the other virtues; tired of the effort of willing they become fanatics about conservatism.

I do not despise genius-indeed, I wish I had a basketful of it. But yet, after a great deal of experience and observation, I have become convinced that industry is a better horse to ride than genius. It may never carry any man as far as genius has carried individuals, but industry-patient, steady, intelligent industry-will carry thousands into comfort, and even celebrity; and this it does with absolute certainty.

What each man does is based not on direct and certain knowledge, but on pictures made by himself or given to him...

The mass of the reading public is not interested in learning and assimilating the results of accurate investigation.

Modern men are afraid of the past. It is a record of human achievement, but its other face is human defeat.

We are concerned in public affairs, but immersed in our private ones.