Consciousness of our powers augments them.
Truth is not so threadbare as speech, because fewer people can make use of it.
We should expect the best and the worst from mankind as from the weather.
If anyone accuses me of contradicting myself, I shall reply; I have been wrong once or more often, however I do not aspire to be always wrong.
Hope is the only good thing that disillusion respects.
The mind of man is more intuitive than logical, and comprehends more than it can coordinate.
He who seeks fame by the practice of virtue asks only for what he deserves.
Necessity relieves us from the embarrassment of choice.
We are not greatly pleased that our friends should respect our good qualities if they venture to perceive our faults.
Despair puts the last touch not only to our misery but also to our weakness.
Conscience, the organ of feeling which dominates us and of the opinions which rule us, is presumptuous in the strong, timid in the weak and unfortunate, uneasy in the undecided.
And where, on earth, dwell hope and truth? In childhood’s uncorrupted heart; Alas! too soon to guileless youth The world doth its dark code impart!
Learn to overrule minor interest in favor of great ones, and generously to do all the good the heart prompts; a man is never injured by acting virtuously.
There are those who are so scrupulously afraid of doing wrong that they seldom venture to do anything.
Simple truths are a relief from grand speculations.
We don’t have enough time to premeditate our actions.
Obscurity is the realm of error.
Some of us would be greatly astonished to learn the reasons why others respect us.
Our virtues are dearer to us the more we have had to suffer for them. It is the same with our children. All profound affection admits a sacrifice.
Jealousy is the paralysis of love.