“The truly pious must negotiate a difficult course between the precipice of godlessness and the marsh of superstition.”

I don’t need a friend who changes when I change and who nods when I nod; my shadow does that much better.

It’s a thing of no great difficulty to raise objections against another man’s oration, it is a very easy matter, but to produce a better in its place is a work extremely troublesome.

Music, to create harmony, must investigate discord.

It is a true proverb, that if you live with a lame man, you will learn to limp.

The whole like of a man is but a point of time; let us enjoy it.

Adversity is the only balance to weigh friends.

No beast is more savage than man when possessed with power answerable to his rage.

But a man cannot by writing a bill of divorce to his vice get rid of all trouble at once, and enjoy tranquillity by living apart.

An imbalance between rich and poor is the oldest and most fatal ailment of all republics.

The superstitious man wishes he did not believe in gods, as the atheist does not, but fears to disbelieve in them.

The poor go to war, to fight and die for the delights, riches, and superfluities of others.

In a certain faraway land the cold is so intense that words freeze as soon as they are uttered, and after some time then thaw and become audible so that words spoken in winter go unheard until the next summer.

Come and take them.

I am all that hath been, and is, and shall be, and my veil no mortal has hitherto raised.

A few vices are sufficient to darken many virtues.

Remember what Simonides said, that he never repented that he had held his tongue, but often that he had spoken.

There are uses to adversity, and they don’t reveal themselves until tested. Whether it’s serious illness, financial hardship, or the simple constraint of parents who speak limited English, difficulty can tap unexpected strengths.

Comedy is difficult for an actor. But I think I have a good sense of humor and manage to make people laugh and make them happy.

Often-times the most difficult competition comes, not from the strong, the intelligent, the conservative competitor, but from the man who is holding on by the eyelids and is ignorant of his costs, and anyway he’s got to keep running or bust!

Have faith in yourself and have faith in work, no matter how many difficulties come, you will find a way.

Many difficulties which nature throws in our way, may be smoothed away by the exercise of intelligence.

Pursue your goals even in the face of difficulties, and convert adversities into opportunities.

A friend is long sought, hardly found, and with difficulty kept.

When Life Puts You in Tough Situations, Don’t Say ‘Why Me’, Say ‘Try Me’