We know the effects of many things, but the cause of few; experience, therefore, is a surer guide than imagination, and inquiry than conjecture.

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.

In the monastery,  you are always in some kind of a situation where you are pressured so that your worst qualities come up. But you actually want that to happen so you can deal with them

It wasn't supposed to happen like this. I was supposed to free him. I was supposed to save him. I was supposed to save everyone.

It's very hard to grow up in a perfect family when you're not perfect.

Simplicity is, as simple as you make it.

There is nothing quite so terrifying as a mad sheep.

Your waking adult life is going to be spent in what you do professionally, so you'd better like the journey and not just aim for the destination.

I think there's almost an expectation that it should be Theresa [May] and Boris [Johnson]. I think they'd be real surprise if it ended up with someone else.

If you're going to play stickball in Canarsie you better learn Brooklyn rules.

The word 'indie' is meaningless now. It's so over-used that people think it simply means green hair.

I made records in the past that are as traditional as any other country records that have been made, but at the same time the records have a contemporary slant on it too.