A vow is a snare for sin.
Those who attain to any excellence commonly spend life in some single pursuit, for excellence is not often gained upon easier terms.
Much may be made of a Scotchman, if he be caught young.
Sir, he throws away his money without thought and without merit. I do not call a tree generous that sheds its fruit at every breeze.
Language is the dress of thought.
Every man who attacks my belief, diminishes in some degree my confidence in it, and therefore makes me uneasy; and I am angry with him who makes me uneasy.
The desire of advising has a very extensive prevalence; and, since advice cannot be given but to those that will hear it, a patient listener is necessary to the accommodation of all those who desire to be confirmed in the opinion of their own wisdom: a patient listener, however, is not always to be had; the present age, whatever age is present, is so vitiated and disordered, that young people are readier to talk than to attend, and good counsel is only thrown away upon those who are full of their own perfections.
We meet on the broad pathway of good faith and good will; no advantage shall be taken on either side, but all shall be openness and love. I will not call you children, — for parents sometimes chide their children too severely; nor brothers only, — for brothers differ. The friendship between me and you I will not compare to a chain; for that the rains might rust, or the falling tree might break. We are the same as if one man’s body were to be divided into two parts, we are all one flesh and blood.
Life is a quarry, out of which we are to mold and chisel and complete a character.
The characteristic of genuine heroism is its persistency. All men have wandering impulses, fits and starts of generosity. But when you have resolved to be great, abide by yourself, and do not weakly try to reconcile yourself with the world. The heroic cannot be the common, nor the common the heroic.
A few strong instincts and a few plain rules suffice us.
All great truths begin as blasphemies.
Self-confidence is the first requisite to great undertakings.
A man ought to read just as inclination leads him, for what he reads as a task will do him little good.
You have such strong words at command, that they make the smallest argument seem formidable.
Great abilities are not requisite for an Historian; for in historical composition, all the greatest powers of the human mind are quiescent. He has facts ready to his hand; so there is no exercise of invention. Imagination is not required in any degree; only about as much as is used in the lowest kinds of poetry. Some penetration, accuracy, and coloring, will fit a man for the task, if he can give the application which is necessary.
Cultivate kindness today and always.
I have been breaking silence these twenty-three years and have hardly made a rent in it.
I have a higher and grander standard of principle than George Washington. He could not lie; I can, but I won’t.
As to marriage or celibacy, let a man take which course he will, he will be sure to repent.
He that will enjoy the brightness of sunshine, must quit the coolness of the shade.
Nothing’s beautiful from every point of view.
