A good taste is often unconscious; a just taste is always conscious.

Avarice is to the intellect what sensuality is to the morals.

When we talk of leaving our childhood behind us, we might as well say that the river flowing onward to the sea had left the fountain behind.

To some characters, fame is like an intoxicating cup placed to the lips,--they do well to turn away from it who fear it will turn their heads. But to others fame is "love disguised," the love that answers to love in its widest, most exalted sense.

Even virtue itself, all perfect as it is, requires to be inspirited by passion; for duties are but coldly performed which are but philosophically fulfilled.

What we truly and earnestly aspire to be, that in some sense we are.

If we can still love those who have made us suffer, we love them all the more.