An ignorant man is insignificant and contemptible; nobody cares for his company, and he can just be said to live, and that is all.

As fathers commonly go, it is seldom a misfortune to be fatherless; and considering the general run of sons, as seldom a misfortune to be childless.

The mere brute pleasure of reading - the sort of pleasure a cow must have in grazing.

If we do not plant knowledge when young, it will give us no shade when we are old.

Never put off till tomorrow what you can do today.

Being pretty on the inside means you don't hit your brother and you eat all your peas - that's what my grandma taught me.

Modesty is the only sure bait when you angle for praise.

Whatever is worth doing at all is worth doing well.

You must look into people, as well as at them.

A man's own good breeding is the best security against other people's ill manners.

Know the true value of time; snatch, seize, and enjoy every moment of it. No idleness, no laziness, no procrastination: never put off till tomorrow what you can do today.

You're not traveling if you already know everything.

For me, it's really important to be able to compete on the highest level.

Discussing the possibilities of extraterrestrial life: I would love it even if they were short, sullen, grumpy and sexually obsessed. But there just isn't any good evidence.

I may have one more 'Star Trek' novel in me, but it would be in the old universe, not the new one.

When you talk to the half-wise, twaddle; when you talk to the ignorant, brag; when you talk to the sagacious, look very humble and ask their opinion.

Individual faults and frailties are no excuse to give in - and no exemption from the common obligation to give of ourselves.

Wisdom disguises our wounds; it teaches us how to bleed in secret.

Be Hard on the issue, Soft on the person.

A bad marriage is worse than no marriage at all.

A new era of responsibility is here.