To be wiser than other men is to be honester than they; and strength of mind is only courage to see and speak the truth.

Habitual liars invent falsehoods not to gain any end or even to deceive their hearers, but to amuse themselves. It is partly practice and partly habit. It requires an effort in them to speak truth.

The English (it must be owned) are rather a foul-mouthed nation.

He who comes up to his own idea of greatness must always have had a very low standard of it in his mind.

Literature, like nobility, runs in the blood.

Religion either makes men wise and virtuous, or it makes them set up false pretenses to both.

Violence ever defeats its own ends. Where you cannot drive you can always persuade. A gentle word, a kind look, a god-natured smile can work wonders and accomplish miracles. There is a secret pride in every human heart than revolts at tyranny. You may order and drive an individual, but you cannot make him respect you.