The Older I get, the more I judge people by their character and not by their ideas.

We think too small. Like the frog at the bottom of the well. He thinks the sky is only as big as the top of the well. If he surfaced, he would have an entirely different view.

The thoughts that come often unsought, and as it were, drop into the mind, are commonly the most valuable of any we have.

I hold it to be a proof of great prudence for men toabstain from threats and insulting words toward an enemy, for neither ...diminishes the strength of the enemy; but the one makes him more cautious,and the other increases his hatred of you and makes him

Conflictis the gadfly of thought. It stirs us to observation and memory. Itinstigates to invention. It shocks us out of sheeplikepassivity, and sets us at noting and contriving.

Power is a little like alcohol: the faster it is consumed, the more quickly it affects the brain.

We ownalmost all our knowledge not to those who have agreed but to those who havediffered.

Whenthere is no enemy within, the enemies outside cannot hurt you.

In Prayer it is better to have a Heart without Words than words without a Heart.

When aman says that he approves something in principle, it means he hasn't theslightest intention of putting it in practice.

No onewould talk much in society; if he knew how often he misunderstands others.

Far better to think historically, to remember the lessonsof the past. Thus, far better to conceive of power as consisting in part ofthe knowledge of when not to use all the power you have. Far better to be onewho knows that if you reserve the power not to