Judges must beware of hard constructions and strained inferences, for there is no worse torture than that of laws. Francis Bacon on justice
If a man will begin with certainties, he will end in doubts; but if he will be content to begin with doubts, he will end in certainties. Francis Bacon on knowledge
Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed, and some few to be chewed and digested. Francis Bacon on literature
Wives are young men's mistresses, companions for middle age, and old men's nurses. Francis Bacon on marriage
Nature is often hidden, sometimes overcome, seldom extinguished. Francis Bacon on nature
Write down the thoughts of the moment. Those that come unsought for are commonly the most valuable. Francis Bacon on thoughts
Truth emerges more readily from error than from confusion. Francis Bacon on truth
Money is like manure, of very little use except it be spread. Francis Bacon on wealth
Publicity is a great purifier because it sets in action the forces of public opinion, and in this country public opinion controls the courses of the nation. Charles E. Hughes on society
Separated lovers cheat absence by a thousand fancies which have their own reality. They are prevented from seeing one another and they cannot write; nevertheless they find countless mysterious ways of corresponding, by sending each other the song of birds, the scent of flowers, the laughter of children, the light of the sun, the sighing of the wind, and the gleam of the stars—all the beauties of creation. Victor Hugo on absence
No man is more unhappy than the one who is never in adversity; the greatest affliction of life is never to be afflicted. Victor Hugo on adversity
Adversity makes men,and prosperity makes monsters. Victor Hugo on adversity
There is nothing more powerful than an idea whose time has come. Victor Hugo on change
Change your opinions, keep to your principles; change your leaves, keep intact your roots. Victor Hugo on change
When dictatorship is a fact, revolution becomes a right. Victor Hugo on dictator
There are fathers who do not love their children; there is no grandfather who does not adore his grandson. Victor Hugo on father
Liberation is not deliverance. Victor Hugo on freedom
A man is not idle because he is absorbed in thought. There is a visible labor and there is an invisible labor. Victor Hugo on labor
Hell is an outrage on humanity. When you tell me that your deity made you in his image, I reply that he must have been very ugly. Victor Hugo on religion