The same intelligence is required to marshal an army in battle and to order a good dinner. The first must be as formidable as possible, the second as pleasant as possible, to the participants.

I don't need a friend who changes when I change and who nods when I nod; my shadow does that much better.

The mind is not a vessel to be filled but a fire to be kindled.

An imbalance between rich and poor is the oldest and most fatal ailment of all republics.

When Demosthenes was asked what was the first part of Oratory, he answered, "Action," and which was the second, he replied, "action," and which was the third, he still answered "Action.

Know how to listen, and you will profit even from those who talk badly.

The real destroyer of the liberties of the people is he who spreads among them bounties, donations and benefits.

Barba non facit philosophum

To make no mistakes is not in the power of man; but from their errors and mistakes the wise and good learn wisdom for the future.

Time is the wisest of all counselors.

No beast is more savage than man when possessed with power answerable to his rage.

Were you watching me sleep? Because I thought we agreed that's creepy.

Liberals have always been the most fervent Imperialists.

A stage play requires very different craft from a book, fiction or otherwise, and ditto from a screenplay.

So when you start touring, women are definitely going to check you out first.

Who's your soul's mate? Consciousness. Soul is your conscious mate. Guru keeps you conscious.

Send me no more reviews of any kind. I will read no more of evil or good in that line. Walter Scott has not read a review of himself for thirteen years .

The freer that women become, the freer men will be. Because when you enslave someone, you are enslaved.

[A]nti-Semitism was rife in almost all varieties of socialism.

They say people who don’t learn from history are destined to repeat it.

Will what I am about to do, bring me closer to, or take me further from my goals?