We often forget our dreams so speedily: if we cannot catch them as they are passing out at the door, we never set eyes on them again.

There is no one thoroughly despicable. We cannot descend much lower than an idiot; and an idiot has some advantages over a wise man.

A great chessplayer is not a great man, for he leaves the world as he found it.

Cant is the voluntary overcharging or prolongation of a real sentiment; hypocrisy is the setting up a pretension to a feeling you never had and have no wish for.

The art of conversation is the art of hearing as well as of being heard.

Natural affection is a prejudice; for though we have cause to love our nearest connections better than others, we have no reason to think them better than others.

The most violent friendships soonest wear themselves out.