To know one thing thoroughly would be to know the universe.

Every claim creates an obligation.

An educated memory depends on an organized system of associations; and its goodness depends on two of their peculiarities: first, on the persistency of the associations; and, second, on their number.

Modern war is so expensive that we feel trade to be a better avenue to plunder; but modern man inherits all the innate pugnacity and all the love of glory of his ancestors.

Asceticism may be a mere expression of organic hardihood, disgusted with too much ease.

We must make automatic and habitual, as early as possible, as many useful actions as we can. . . . The more of the details of our daily life we can hand over to the effortless custody of automatism, the more our higher powers of mind will be set free for their own proper work.

All natural goods perish. Riches take wings; fame is a breath; love is a cheat; youth and health and pleasure vanish.