Mankind is made up of inconsistencies, and no man acts invariably up to his predominant character. The wisest man sometimes acts weakly, and the weakest sometimes wisely.

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.

Fiction is a sort of inter-human magic, allowing you to travel into a scene and feel it tingle on your skin.

Mediocrity is a hand-rail.

Unless science is controlled by a greater moral force, it will become the Antichrist prophesied by the early Christians.

I cannot believe that the American people and the people they elected would use the Constitution to stifle any group's rights.

I sleep well. It's the politicians who are to blame for failing to come to an agreement and resorting to violence.

I see the artist as a participant, a co-producer of reality.

Every New York Times story [about Donald Trump] is the result of the organizational efforts of Barack Obama.

I hate guns, I think they're the worst thing ever invented.

I didn't get into making music for the fame aspect. There are people who do desire that.

I am leaving the office but am not leaving the battle for peace.