Young men know the rules, but old men know the exceptions.
The worst of a modern stylish mansion is that it has no place for ghosts.
Science is the topography of ignorance. From a few elevated points we triangulate vast spaces, inclosing infinite unknown details. We cast the lead, and draw up a little sand from abysses we may never reach with our dredges.
There was never an idea started that woke up men out of their stupid indifference but its originator was spoken of as a crank.
It is very grand to die in harness, but it is very pleasant to have the tight straps unbuckled and the heavy collar lifted from the neck and shoulders.
To think great thoughts you must be heroes as well as idealists.
Every real thought on every real subject knocks the wind out of somebody or other.
The root of joy, as of duty, is to put all one’s powers towards some great end.
Knowledge-it excites prejudices to call it science-is advancing as irresistibly, as majestically, as remorselessly as the ocean moves in upon the shore.
The very minute a thought is threatened with publicity it seems to shrink towards mediocrity.
Man has will, but woman has her way.
If there is any principle of the Constitution that more imperatively calls for attachment than any other it is the principle of free thought, not free thought for those who agree with us but freedom for the thought that we hate.
Even a dog distinguishes between being stumbled over and being kicked.
We must think things not words, or at least we must constantly translate our words into the facts for which they stand, if we are to keep to the real and the true.
People talk fundamentals and superlatives and then make some changes of detail.
In my opinion, economists and sociologists are the people to whom we ought to turn more than we do for instruction in the grounds and foundations of all rational decisions.
Three generations of imbeciles are enough.
No generalization is wholly true – not even this one.
The thing I want to do is put as many new ideas into the law as I can, to show how particular solutions involve general theory, and to do it with style. I should like to be admitted to be the greatest jurist in the world.
Deep-seated preferences cannot be argued about-you cannot argue a man into liking a glass of beer.