We are not hypocrites in our sleep.

The present is an age of talkers, and not of doers; and the reason is, that the world is growing old. We are so far advanced in the Arts and Sciences, that we live in retrospect, and dote on past achievement.

A situation in a public office is secure, but laborious and mechanical, and without the great springs of life, hope and fear.

Within my heart is lurking suspicion, and base fear, and shame and hate; but above all, tyrannous love sits throned, crowned with her graces, silent and in tears.

Man is a make-believe animal: he is never so truly himself as when he is acting a part.

Genius is native to the soil where it grows — is fed by the air, and warmed by the sun — and is not a hot - house plant or an exotic.

The more we do, the more we can do; the more busy we are, the more leisure we have.