We never do anything well till we cease to think about the manner of doing it.

General principles are not the less true or important because from their nature they elude immediate observation; they are like the air, which is not the less necessary because we neither see nor feel it.

If you give an audience a chance they will do half your acting for you.

Persons who undertake to pry into, or cleanse out all the filth of a common sewer, either cannot have very nice noses, or will soon lose them.

A gentle word, a kind look, a good-natured smile can work wonders and accomplish miracles.

The world loves to be amused by hollow professions, to be deceived by flattering appearances, to live in a state of hallucination; and can forgive everything but the plain, downright, simple, honest truth.

Death puts an end to rivalship and competition. The dead can boast no advantage over us, nor can we triumph over them.