Speaking generally, no man appears great to his contemporaries, for the same reason that no man is great to his servants--both know too much of him.

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.

Three turns should do it.

Happiness depends not on things around me, but on my attitude.

I don't think that artists of any kind would or could sacrifice their artistic freedom by being more responsible with their influence on people, especially young people.

The words that come direct from the people are the greatest.If you substitute one out of your own vocabulary, it disappears before your eyes.

Persecution for opinion is the master vice of society.

Being rich means you get to worry about everything except money.

Kids and family life are only as good as your wife, and she's amazing.

Belief is better than anything else, and it is best when rapt - above paying its respects to anybody's doubt whatsoever.

Reality had no gears, and you never knew what surprises would come spinning out of its chaos.

Sometimes I talk to myself in languages I'm unfamiliar with... just to screw with my subconscious.