Secrecy of design, when combined with rapidity of execution, like me column that guided Israel in the deserts, becomes the guardian pillar of light and fire to our friends, a cloud of overwhelming and impenetrable darkness to our enemies.

Wealth after all is a relative thing since he that has little and wants less is richer than he that has much and wants more.

He that has energy enough to root out a vice should go further, and try to plant a virtue in its place.

Villains are usually the worst casuists, and rush into crimes to avoid less. Henry VIII. committed murder to avoid the imputation of adultery; and in our times, those who commit the latter crime attempt to wash off the stain of seducing the wife by signifying their readiness to shoot the husband.

The seeds of repentance are sown in youth by pleasure, but the harvest is reaped in age by pain.

The inheritance of a distinguished and noble name is a proud inheritance to him who lives worthily of it.

If martyrdom is now on the decline, it is not because martyrs are less zealous, but because martyr-mongers are more wise. The light of intellect has put out the fire of persecution, as other fires are observed to smoulder before the light of the same.