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.

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

Commit a crime, and the earth is made of glass. There is no such thing as concealment.

We learn geology the morning after the earthquake.

Criticism should not be querulous and wasting, all knife and root-puller, but guiding, instructive, inspiring, a south wind, not an east wind.

No man can be criticised but by a greater than he. Do not, then, read the reviews.

Taking to pieces is the trade of those who cannot construct.