The European talks of progress because by the aid of a few scientific discoveries he has established a society which has mistaken comfort for civilisation.

Fame has eagle wings, and yet she mounts not so high as man's desires.

The profound thinker always suspects that he is superficial.

How very seldom do you encounter in the world a man of great abilities, acquirements, experience, who will unmask his mind, unbutton his brains, and pour forth in careless and picturesque phrase all the results of his studies and observation; his knowledge of men, books, and nature. On the contrary, if a man has by any chance an original idea, he hoards it as if it were old gold; and rather avoids the subject with which he is most conversant, from fear that you may appropriate his best thoughts.

The health of the people is really the foundation upon which all their happiness and all their powers as a state depend.

The art of conversation is to be prompt without being stubborn, to refute without argument, and to clothe great matters in a motley garb.

A Protestant, if he wants aid or advice on any matter, can only go to his solicitor.