We work to become, not to acquire.
— Elbert Hubbard
Positive anything is better than negative nothing.
Genius may have its limitations, but stupidity is not thus handicapped.
Where much is expected from an individual, he may rise to the level of events and make the dream come true.
I would rather be able to appreciate things I can not have than to have things I am not able to appreciate.
It may happen sometimes that a long debate becomes the cause of a longer friendship. Commonly, those who dispute with one another at last agree.
Never explain - your friends do not need it and your enemies will not believe you anyway.
One machine can do the work of fifty ordinary men. No machine can do the work of one extraordinary man.
The sculptor produces the beautiful statue by chipping away such parts of the marble block as are not needed - it is a process of elimination.
A pessimist? That's a person who has been intimately acquainted with an optimist.
Live truth instead of professing it.
Die, v.: To stop sinning suddenly.
To avoid criticism, do nothing, say nothing, and be nothing.
Many a man's reputation would not know his character if they met on the street.
Often we can help each other most by leaving each other alone; at other times we need the hand-grasp and the word of cheer.
If you suffer, thank God! It is a sure sign that you are alive.
There is something that is much more scarce, something finer far, something rarer than ability. It is the ability to recognize ability.
The idea that is not dangerous is not worthy of being called an idea at all.
Our desires always disappoint us; for though we meet with something that gives us satisfaction, yet it never thoroughly answers our expectation.
If you can't answer a man's arguments, all is not lost; you can still call him vile names.
Every man is a damn fool for at least five minutes every day; wisdom consists in not exceeding the limit.
The object of teaching a child is to enable him to get along without his teacher.
We are punished by our sins, not for them.
Be pleasant until ten o'clock in the morning and the rest of the day will take care of itself.
A failure is a man who has blundered, but is not able to cash in the experience.
Do not take life too seriously. You will never get out of it alive.
He has achieved success who has worked well, laughed often, and loved much.
A friend is one who knows you and loves you just the same.
Secrets are things we give to others to keep for us.
Every tyrant who has lived has believed in freedom for himself.
The reason men oppose progress is not that they hate progress, but that they love inertia.
Know what you want to do, hold the thought firmly, and do every day what should be done, and every sunset will see you that much nearer to your goal.
It's pretty hard to be efficient without being obnoxious.
A man is not paid for having a head and hands, but for using them.
An idea that is not dangerous is not worthy of being called an idea at all.
Pray that success will not come any faster than you are able to endure it.
Optimism is a kind of heart stimulant - the digitalis of failure.
Never get married in college; it's hard to get a start if a prospective employer finds you've already made one mistake.
There is no failure except in no longer trying.
Art is not a thing; it is a way.
The ineffable joy of forgiving and being forgiven forms an ecstasy that might well arouse the envy of the gods.
The final proof of greatness lies in being able to endure criticism without resentment.
