Between two evils, choose neither; between two goods, choose both.

Right actions in the future are the best apologies for bad actions in the past.

Every parting is a form of death, as every reunion is a type of heaven.

Some so speak in exaggerations and superlatives that we need to make a large discount from their statements before we can come at their real meaning.

Prejudices are rarely overcome by argument; not being founded in reason they cannot be destroyed by logic.

We never reach our ideals, whether of mental or moral improvement, but the thought of them shows us our deficiencies, and spurs us on to higher and better things.

If you would thoroughly know anything, teach it to others.

Thoughts lead on to purpose, purpose leads on to actions, actions form habits, habits decide character, and character fixes our destiny.

Age does not depend upon years, but upon temperament and health. Some men are born old, and some never grow so.

Some of the best lessons we ever learn we learn from our mistakes and failures. — The error of the past is the wisdom and success of the future.

True humility is not an abject, groveling, self-despising spirit; it is but a right estimate of ourselves as God sees us.

Risk is the unique path to success.

Parts of my 20s and 30s have gone by in a flash but my childhood is with me all the time.

Good men who exercise power are really the most fascinating of all people.

You can't make a head and brains out of a brass knob with nothing in it. You couldn't do it when your uncle George was living much less when he's dead.

It is the human wish to be told lies that keep us as primitive morally and socially as we are. I am persuaded that a lie grounded in human desire is too powerful for mere reason to kill.

We do have to be a witness to our art.

I didn't grow up in a home that glorified Hollywood. We didn't watch TV. We didn't have a lot of magazines around.

Peace need not be impracticable, and war need not be inevitable.

I would rather spend my entire life doing nothing than have my name attached to something mediocre.

Even virtue is an art; and even its devotees are divided into those who practise it and those who are merely amateurs.