“We are of opinion that instead of letting books grow moldy behind an iron grating, far from the vulgar gaze, it is better to let them wear out by being read.”

“It seems wisest to assume the worst from the beginning...and let anything better come as a surprise.”

“It must be, for there is a logic to everything on this earth and nothing is done without a reason, that God sometimes lets scientists discover.”

“Well, I feel that we should always put a little art into what we do. It's better that way.”

“Why lower oneself to taking pride from being American or British, when you can boast of being man!”

“It is certain," exclaimed my uncle in a tone of triumph. "But silence, do you hear me? silence upon the whole subject; and let no one get before us in this design of discovering the centre of the earth.”

“Are we rising again?" "No. On the contrary." "Are we descending?" "Worse than that, captain! we are falling!" "For Heaven's sake heave out the ballast!" "There! the last sack is empty!" "Does the balloon rise?" "No!" "I hear a noise like the dashing of waves. The sea is below the car! It cannot be more than 500 feet from us!" "Overboard with every weight! … everything!”