The chief merit of language is clearness, and we know that nothing detracts so much from this as do unfamiliar terms.

Speech is the mirror of the soul; as a man speaks, so is he.

Man is the one name belonging to every nation upon earth: there is one soul and many tongues, one spirit and various sounds; every country has its own speech, but the subjects of speech are common to all.

When action grows unprofitable, gather information; when information grows unprofitable, sleep.

The gift of a common tongue is a priceless inheritance and it may well some day become the foundation of a common citizenship.

God never sent a messenger save with the language of his folk, that he might make the message clear for them.

The more the pleasures of the body fade away, the greater to me is the pleasure and charm of conversation.

No one gossips about other people’s secret virtues.

It is a luxury to be understood.

Writing cannot express words fully; words cannot express thoughts fully.

Unexemplary words and unfounded doctrines are avoided by the noble person. Why utter them?

Only connect! That was the whole of her sermon. Only connect the prose and the passion, and both will be exalted, and human love will be seen at its height.

Words pay no debts.