But blind to former as to future fate, what mortal knows his pre-existent state?

The greatest magnifying glasses in the world are a man's own eyes when they look upon his own person.

Fools rush in where angels fear to tread.

A little learning is a dangerous thing; Drink deep, or taste not the Pierian spring.

In faith and hope the world will disagree, but all mankind's concern is charity.

To err is human; to forgive, divine.

Teach me to feel another's woe, to hide the fault I see, that mercy I to others show, that mercy show to me.

The best way to prove the clearness of our mind, is by showing its faults; as when a stream discovers the dirt at the bottom, it convinces us of the transparency and purity of the water.

Chiefs who no more in bloody fights engage, But wise through time, and narrative with age, In summer-days like grasshoppers rejoice - A bloodless race, that send a feeble voice.

While pensive poets painful vigils keep, Sleepless themselves, to give their readers sleep.

See! From the brake the whirring pheasant springs, And mounts exulting on triumphant wings; Short is his joy! He feels the fiery wound, Flutters in blood, and panting beats the ground.

How can you reform when you are always busy conforming?

The whole family of pride and ignorance are incestuous, and mutually beget each other

To like Keats is a test of fitness for understanding poetry, just as to like Shakespeare is a test of general mental capacity.

There is always something to upset the most careful of human calculations.

If achieving your potential requires favorable judgment by others, you are much less likely to succeed.

But sometimes you gotta do stuff you don’t want to do.

Every technological product has to be designed and its fabrication overseen, and this is what engineers DO.

Acting isn't a game of "pretend." It's an exercise in being real.

Conquest is the missionary of valor, and the hard impact of military virtues beats meanness out of the world.

Dreaming permits each and every one of us to be quietly and safely insane every night of our lives