That happy state of mind, so rarely possessed, in which we can say, "I have enough," is the highest attainment of philosophy.

There are few mortals so insensible that their affections cannot he gained by mildness, their confidence by sincerity, their hatred by scorn or neglect

In fame's temple there is always a niche to be found for rich dunces, importunate scoundrels, or successful butchers of the human race.

Who conquers indolence conquers all other hereditary sins.

Silence is the safest response for all the contradiction that arises from impertinence, vulgarity, or envy.

The quarter of an hour before dinner is the worst that suitors can choose.

The more you speak of yourself, the more you are likely to lie.

Idlers cannot even find time to be idle, or the industrious to be at leisure. We must always be doing or suffering

A moral lesson is better expressed in short sayings than in long discourse.

Suicides pay the world a bad compliment. Indeed, it may so happen that the world has been beforehand with them in incivility. Granted. Even then the retaliation is at their own expense.

Comedians are not usually actors, but imitations of actors.

Do not let the roles you play in life make you forget that you are human.

Love me for what I amNot what I try to be.Love me for what I am.I amA person who likes to lie too much.I try too muchTo impress other people...Often my inferiors.

Well married a person has wings, poorly married shackles.

If my future were black, it was better surely to face it like a man than to attempt to brighten it by mere will-o’-the-wisps of the imagination.

Choking is being in a position to win, and then experiencing some critical failure of nerve or spirit. That never happened to me. And I can't help but think it was because I was never afraid to lose.

[Before each of numerous portrait sittings:] Now then, with teeth or without?

The monsters demand less of you as a writer because they're probably closer to who you are.

Some days you're the bug, some days you're the windshield.

Cut the attacker down, to cut them down to their very soul

Poetry is the statement of a relation between a man and the world