I don’t like reformers, and I hope you never try to be one; reformers are apt to forget that people can be led by a little kindness oftener than driven by much scolding, and I like the sort of goodness that makes itself beautiful first, and then others wish to copy it.

I have studied men’s vices in order to defend myself against them; and I have found that, like serpents, they fly the light.

Hatred is blind, rage carries you away; and he who pours out vengeance runs the risk of tasting a bitter draught.

Remember that what we call our secrets are often the things everybody guesses.

Treachery and violence are spears pointed at both ends; they wound those who resort to them worse than their enemies.

We are fond of high words, but life is made of trifles.

You seek for knowledge and wisdom, as I once did; and I ardently hope that the gratification of your wishes may not be a serpent to sting you.

Rough as a saw-edge, and hard as whinstone! The less you meddle with him the better.

The basis of optimism is sheer terror.

There are few people whom I really love, and still fewer of whom I think well. The more I see of the world, the more am I dissatisfied with it; and every day confirms my belief of the inconsistency of all human characters, and of the little dependence that can be placed on the appearance of merit or sense.