People of genius do not excel in any profession because they work in it, they work in it because they excel.

I like a person who knows his own mind and sticks to it; who sees at once what is to be done in given circumstances and does it. He does not beat about the bush for difficulties or excuses, but goes the shortest and most effectual way to work to attain his own ends, or to accomplish a useful object.

We do not like our friends the worse because they sometimes give us an opportunity to rail at them heartily. Their faults reconcile us to their virtues.

Anyone is to be pitied who has just sense enough to perceive his deficiencies.

Like a rustic at a fair, we are full of amazement and rapture, and have no thought of going home, or that it will soon be night.

I do not think that what is called Love at first sight is so great an absurdity as it is sometimes imagined to be. We generally make up our minds beforehand to the sort of person we should like, grave or gay, black, brown, or fair; with golden tresses or raven locks; - and when we meet with a complete example of the qualities we admire, the bargain is soon struck.

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