There is no more difficult art to acquire than the art of observation, and for some men it is quite read more

There is no more difficult art to acquire than the art of observation, and for some men it is quite as difficult to record an observation in brief and plain language. - Aphorisms from His Bedside Teachings and Writings.

Four hostile newspapers are more to be feared than a thousand bayonets. - Maxims.

Four hostile newspapers are more to be feared than a thousand bayonets. - Maxims.

Personality is born out of pain. It is the fire shut up in the flint. - Letters to His Son, read more

Personality is born out of pain. It is the fire shut up in the flint. - Letters to His Son, W. B. Yeats and Others.

Distance has the same effect on the mind as on the eye.

Distance has the same effect on the mind as on the eye.

The difference between a smart man and a wise man is that a smart man knows what to say, a read more

The difference between a smart man and a wise man is that a smart man knows what to say, a wise man knows whether or not to say it.

Shyness is just egotism out of its depth.

Shyness is just egotism out of its depth.

In youth we learn; in age we understand.

In youth we learn; in age we understand.

In the light of his vision he has found his freedom: his thoughts are peace, his words are peace and read more

In the light of his vision he has found his freedom: his thoughts are peace, his words are peace and his work is peace.

Life is not an easy matter.... You cannot live through it without falling into frustration and cynicism unless you have read more

Life is not an easy matter.... You cannot live through it without falling into frustration and cynicism unless you have before you a great idea which raises you above personal misery, above weakness, above all kinds of perfidy and baseness.