The only true retirement is that of the heart; the only true leisure is the repose of the passions. To such persons it makes little difference whether they are young or old; and they die as they have lived, with graceful resignation.

Comedy naturally wears itself out - destroys the very food on which it lives; and by constantly and successfully exposing the follies and weaknesses of mankind to ridicule, in the end leaves itself nothing worth laughing at.

Men of the greatest genius are not always the most prodigal of their encomiums. But then it is when their range of power is confined, and they have in fact little perception, except of their own particular kind of excellence.

Hope is the best possession. None are completely wretched but those who are without hope. Few are reduced so low as that.

We are thankful for good-will rather than for services, for the motive than the quantum of favor received.

When a thing ceases to be a subject of controversy, it ceases to be a subject of interest.

The best kind of conversation is that which may be called thinking aloud.