Conservatism, ever more timorous and narrow, disgusts the children, and drives them for a mouthful of fresh air into radicalism.

A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds, adored by little statesmen and philosophers and divines.

The men who come on the stage at one period are all found to be related to each other. Certain ideas are in the air.

Private, accidental, confidential conversation breeds thought. Clubs produce oftener words.

The art of conversation, or the qualification for a good companion, is a certain self-control, which now holds the subject, now lets it go, with a respect for the emergencies of the moment.

The best of life is conversation, and the greatest success is confidence, or perfect understanding between sincere people.

Every man has his own courage, and is betrayed because he seeks in himself the courage of other persons.

We must be as courteous to a man as we are to a picture, which we are willing to give the advantage of a good light.

No man gains credit for his cowardly courtesies.

Nature is a rag merchant, who works up every shred and ort and end into new creations.