Superfluous wealth can buy superfluities only.

It is a characteristic of wisdom not to do desperate things.

Those who work much do not work hard.

The really efficient laborer will be found not to crowd his day with work, but will saunter to his task surrounded by a wide halo of ease and leisure.

Nothing goes by luck in composition. It allows of no tricks. The best you can write will be the best you are.

There are two classes of authors: the one write the history of their times, the other their biography.

Age is no better, hardly so well, qualified for an instructor as youth, for it has not profited so much as it has lost.

I once had a sparrow alight upon my shoulder for a moment, while I was hoeing in a village garden, and I felt that I was more distinguished by that circumstance than I should have been by any epaulet I could have worn.

If you see a man approaching with the obvious intent of doing you good, run for your life.

City life: millions of people being lonesome together.