In oneof our concert grand pianos, 243 taut strings exert a pull of 40,000 poundson an iron frame. It is proof that out of great tension may come great harmony.

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

Thereward for always listening when you'd rather be talking is wisdom.

Difficultiesare meant to rouse, not discourage. The human spirit is to grow strong byconflict.

Modesty is the clothing of talent.

It is much easier to be a hero than a gentleman.

A man who doesn't trust himself can never really trust anyoneelse.

Believing that soom good can be derived from every event is a better preposition than that everything happens for the best, which is assuredly does not.

Old fools are more foolish than you ones.

Buyingis cheaper than asking.

Humor is the affectionate communication of insight.

The exercise of power is determined by thousands ofinteractions between the world of the powerful and that of the powerless, allthe more so because these worlds are never divided by a sharp line: everyonehas a small part of himself in both.