Ambition, in one respect, is like a singer's voice; pitched at too high a key, it breaks and comes to nothing.

False friends are like our shadow, keeping close to us while we walk in the sunshine, but leaving us the instant we cross into the shade.

Doubt whom you will, but never yourself.

Our first and last love is self-love.

The scope of an intellect is not to be measured with a tape-string, or a character deciphered from the shape or length of a nose.

It is the passion that is in a kiss that gives to it its sweetness; it is the affection in a kiss that sanctifies it.

We fear things in proportion to our ignorance of them.

The opinions of the misanthropical rest upon this very partial basis, that they adopt the bad faith of a few as evidence of the worthlessness of all.

The lively and mercurial are as open books, with the leaves turned down at the notable passages. Their souls sit at the windows of their eyes, seeing and to be seen.

Tears are nature's lotion for the eyes. The eyes see better for being washed by them.

The passions are like fire, useful in a thousand ways and dangerous only in one, through their excess.

Our thoughts shape how we behave.

Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love grace and gratitude.

It is good even for old men to learn wisdom.

Before a group can enter the open society, it must first close ranks.

People, when they first come to America, whether as travelers or settlers, become aware of a new and agreeable feeling: that the whole country is their oyster.

If you want to build a ship, teach the men to yearn for the vast and endless sea.

To get something you must give something away. To hold something you must give something away. To love something you must give something away.

I get a million ideas a day and I don't put too much weight on any one of them. The ones that really stick in my head are the ones I end up doing.

Don't say you love somebody and then change your mind ... Love isn't like picking what movie you want to watch.

At an Olympics Game, you want to enjoy it, especially if you know it's going to be your last one.