Armies, though always the supporters and tools of absolute power for the time being, are always the destroyers of it too; by frequently changing the hands in which they think proper to lodge it.

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.

I realized then that all of the problems in my life that I thought were unsolvable were in fact solvable—except for having just jumped.

What monster sleeps in the deep of your story? You need a monster. Without a monster there is no story.

Let me show you

In every respect, fantasy is like doing abstract paintings.

It takes time and trouble to persuade ourselves that the things we want to do are the things we ought to do.

I'm the best you can get. Have you guessed me yet? I'm the slime oozin' out from your TV set!

And we are a people without tears. The things that moved our parents do not move us at all.

It makes me angry when people insist that I have a responsibility to do what they think I should do.

They said you have to use your five best players but I found you win with the five who fit together the best.

Do you pay regular visits to yourself? Start now.