Rumor, once started, rushes on like a river, until it mingles with, and is lost in the sea.

The most civilized people are as near to barbarism as the most polished steel is to rust. Nations, like metals, have only a superficial brilliancy.

Man spends his life in reasoning on the past, in complaining of the present, in fearing future.

It is the dim haze of mystery that adds enchantment to pursuit.

Of every ten persons who talk about you, nine will say something bad, and the tenth will say something good in a bad way.

The absolute ruler may be a Nero, but he is sometimes a Titus or Marc Aurelius; the people is often Nero, but never Marc Aurelius.

To lose one's self in reverie, one must be either very happy, or very unhappy. Reverie is the child of extremes.

Gold like the sun, which melts wax, but hardens clay, expands great souls.

The only thing wealth does for some people is to make them worry about losing it.

The modest man has everything to gain, and the arrogant man everything to lose; for modesty has always to deal with generosity, and arrogance with envy.

Opinions, theories, and systems pass by turns over the grindstone of time, which at first gives them brilliancy and sharpness, but finally wears them out.

Being with you and not being with you is the only way I have to measure time.

God is not against you owning things, but he is against the things owning you.

I drive the same car that I've driven since I was 16. That's who I am.

Continued eloquence is wearisome.

I have just realized that the stakes are myself I have no other ransom money, nothing to break or barter but my life

It is a miracle that New York works at all. The whole thing is implausible.

If I'm disrespectful to my opponent, how can I respect myself?

Expose every belief to the light of reason, discourse, facts, scientific observations; question everything, be sceptical because this is the only chance at life you will ever get.

Our personal power is found in the force of our thoughts ? it is our real strength.

I can't spend my whole day talking to people.