The attractiveness that exists to man in the very helplessness of woman is scarcely realized.

It is admirable to die the victim of one's faith; it is sad to die the dupe of one's ambition.

Grief knits two hearts in closer bonds than happiness ever can; and common sufferings are far stronger links than common joys.

Man, man, is thy brother, and thy father is God.

Every time that a people which has long crouched in slavery and ignorance is moved to its lowest depths there appear monsters and heroes, prodigies of crime and prodigies of virtue.

Man is born barbarous--he is ransomed from the condition of beasts only by being cultivated.

The death of a man's wife is like cutting down an ancient oak that has long shaded the family mansion. Henceforth the glare of the world, with its cares and vicissitudes falls upon the old widower's heart, and there is nothing to break their force, or shield him from the full weight of misfortune. It is as if his right hand were withered; as if one wing of his angel was broken, and every movement that he made brought him to the ground.