Posthumous charities are the very essence of selfishness when bequeathed by those who, even alive, would part with nothing.

True friendship is like sound health; the value of it is seldom known until it is lost.

Nothing more completely baffles one who is full of trick and duplicity himself, than straight forward and simple integrity in another.

The soundest argument will produce no more conviction in an empty head than the most superficial declamation; as a feather and a guinea fall with equal velocity in a vacuum.

The art of declamation has been sinking in value from the moment that speakers were foolish enough to publish, and hearers wise enough to read.

None are so fond of secrets as those who do not mean to keep them; such persons covet secrets as a spendthrift covets money, for the purpose of circulation.

Much may be done in those little shreds and patches of time which every day produces, and which most men throw away.

Let those who would affect singularity with success first determine to be very virtuous, and they will be sure to be very singular.

Atheism is a system which can communicate neither warmth nor illumination, except from those fagots which your mistaken zeal has lighted up for its destruction.

Deliberate with caution, but act with decision and yield with graciousness, or oppose with firmness.

The study of mathematics, like the Nile, begins in minuteness but ends in magnificence.

There is no end to the adventures that we can have if only we seek them with our eyes open.

No real social change has ever been brought about without a revolution... revolution is but thought carried into action.

My dad and uncles were among the 125, 000 proud black American volunteers who, throughout their entire lives, considered their decision to serve during WWII as their greatest honor.

Chance is the pseudonym God uses when He'd rather not sign His own name.

I've always been exactly who I am on TV. I'm not playing a role.

You have to change on the inside before change will happen on the outside.

Cats are always elegant.

Science boosts its claim to truth by its spectacular ability to make matter and energy jump through hoops on command, and to predict what will happen and when.

To like and dislike the same things that is indeed true friendship.

Forestry is the work of nation builders.