Books are a world in themselves, it is true; but they are not the only world. The world itself is a volume larger than all the libraries in it.

Greatness is great power, producing great effects. It is not enough that a man has great power in himself, he must shew it to all the world in a way that cannot be hid or gainsaid.

To get others to come into our ways of thinking, we must go over to theirs; and it is necessary to follow, in order to lead.

Actors are the only honest hypocrites.

The dupe of friendship, and the fool of love; have I not reason to hate and to despise myself? Indeed I do; and chiefly for not having hated and despised the world enough.

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

Without life there can be no action — no objects of pursuit — no restless desires — no tormenting passions. Hence it is that we fondly cling to it — that we dread its termination as the close, not of enjoyment, but of hope.