Death is like thunder in two particulars; we are alarmed, at the sound of it; and it is formidable only from that which preceded it.

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.

I lost myself in the burden of trying to be your savior.

All infractions of love and equity in our social relations are ... punished by fear.

Happiness does not come from doing easy work but from the afterglow of satisfaction that comes after the achievement of a difficult task that demanded our best.

Love cannot last without a foundation of forgiveness.

Why do people want to drain your energy? So they can journey to other worlds after death, where pleasures are a thousandfold. It is a fast game. Human beings are powerful and skillful.

Women are more verbal than men. That's why when you see an elderly couple together, it's always the man who has the hearing aid.

We're very concerned with language and how language works. We're trying to engage people rather than dictate how they should be thinking.

And, by the way, how come all the people who were so in favor of unilateral nuclear disarmament are so opposed to unilateral protection against nukes?

I come from a stupid family. My uncle heard that most deaths occurs within ten miles of the house...so he moved.

I'm a health-food junkie, so all of my food is a splurge, money-wise!