Keep people off-balance and in the dark by never revealing the purpose behind your actions. If they have no clue what you are up to, they cannot prepare a defense.

In a false quarrel there is no true valor.

Heroes, whatever high ideas we may have of them, are mortal and not divine. We are all as God made us and many of us much worse.

It's very difficult for me to look at politics with clear eyes. I'll read a story in the paper and the first thing that pops into my head is, what would my dad say about that? Then I try to break out...

Use your health, even to the point of wearing it out. That is what it is for. Spend all you have before you die; do not outlive yourself.

There is something very unique in American iconography about this notion of the pursuit of happiness.

A fool's brain digests philosophy into folly, science into superstition, and art into pedantry. Hence University education.

With mirth and laughter let old wrinkles come.

Many a good hanging prevents a bad marriage.

Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown.

How sharper than a serpent's tooth it is to have a thankless child!

I say there is no darkness but ignorance.

A child's spirit is like a child, you can never catch it by running after it; you must stand still, and, for love, it will soon itself come back.

Impropriety is the soul of wit.

Liberty means responsibility. That is why most men dread it.

You use a glass mirror to see your face; you use works of art to see your soul.

There are two tragedies in life. One is to lose your heart's desire. The other is to gain it.