Grace is the absence of everything that indicates pain or difficulty, hesitation or incongruity.

Cowardice is not synonymous with prudence. It often happens that the better part of discretion is valor.

By conversing with the mighty dead, we imbibe sentiment with knowledge. We become strongly attached to those who can no longer either hurt or serve us, except through the influence which they exert over the mind. We feel the presence of that power which gives immortality to human thoughts and actions, and catch the flame of enthusiasm from all nations and ages.

The greatest pleasure in life is that of reading while we are young. I have had as much of this pleasure perhaps as any one.

When one can do better than everyone else in the same walk, one does not make any very painful exertions to outdo oneself. The progress of improvement ceases nearly at the point where competition ends.

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

Those who are fond of setting things to rights, have no great objection to seeing them wrong.