Away with the cant of "Measures not men!"--the idle supposition
that it is the harness and not the horses read more

Away with the cant of "Measures not men!"--the idle supposition
that it is the harness and not the horses that draw the chariot
along. No Sir, if the comparison must be made, if the
distinction must be taken, men are everything, measures
comparatively nothing.

Biographies are but the clothes and buttons of a man -- the biography of the man himself cannot be written.

Biographies are but the clothes and buttons of a man -- the biography of the man himself cannot be written.

Men say I am a saint losing himself in politics. The fact is that I am a politician trying my read more

Men say I am a saint losing himself in politics. The fact is that I am a politician trying my hardest to become a saint.

They castrate the books of other men in order that with the fat of their works they may lard their read more

They castrate the books of other men in order that with the fat of their works they may lard their own lean volumes.

One of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors.

One of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors.

When I give a lecture, I accept that people look at their watches, but what I do not tolerate is read more

When I give a lecture, I accept that people look at their watches, but what I do not tolerate is when they look at it and raise it to their ear to find out if it stopped.

Politics is a pendulum whose swings between anarchy and tyranny are fueled by perpetually rejuvenated illusions.

Politics is a pendulum whose swings between anarchy and tyranny are fueled by perpetually rejuvenated illusions.

I made a compact with myself that in my person literature should
stand by itself, of itself, and for read more

I made a compact with myself that in my person literature should
stand by itself, of itself, and for itself.

I dare say I am compelled, unconsciously compelled, now to write volume after volume, as in past years I was read more

I dare say I am compelled, unconsciously compelled, now to write volume after volume, as in past years I was compelled to go to sea, voyage after voyage. Leaves must follow upon each other as leagues used to follow in the days gone by, on and on to the appointed end, which, being truth itself, is one -- one for all men and for all occupations.