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.

A really good diplomat does not go in for victories, even when he wins them.

A man cannot sleep in his cradle: whatever is useful must in the nature of life become useless.

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

The devil is merely a fallen angel, and when God lost Satan he lost one of his best lieutenants.

Private property was the original source of freedom. It still is its main bulwark.

The world is a better place to live in because it contains human beings who will give up ease and security in order to do what they themselves think worth doing. They do the useless, brave, noble, divinely foolish, and the very wisest things that are done by Man. And what they prove to themselves and to others is that Man is no mere creature of his habits, no automaton in his routine, but that in the dust of which he is made there is also fire, lighted now and then by great winds from the sky.