In solitude the mind gains strength and learns to lean upon itself.

One may as well be asleep as to read for anything but to improve his mind and morals, and regulate his conduct.

When a man is discontented with himself, it has one advantage - that it puts him into an excellent frame of mind for making a bargain.

I am persuaded that every time a man smiles - but much more so when he laughs - it adds something to this fragment of life.

Nothing is so perfectly amusing as a total change of ideas.

Sciences may be learned by rote, but wisdom not.