The present time has one advantage over every other -- it is our own.

He that sympathizes in all the happiness of others, perhaps himself enjoys the safest happiness.

If our eloquence be directed above the heads of our hearers, we shall do no execution. By pointing our arguments low, we stand a chance of hitting their hearts as well as their heads. In addressing angels, we could hardly raise our eloquence too high; but we must remember that men are not angels.

The whole family of pride and ignorance are incestuous, and mutually beget each other

The science of legislation is like that of medicine in one respect: that it is far more easy to point out what will do harm than what will do good.

Gross and vulgar minds will always pay a higher respect to wealth than to talent; for wealth, although it be a far less efficient source of power than talent, happens to be far more intelligible.

Pleasure is to women what the sun is to the flower; if moderately enjoyed, it beautifies, it refreshes, and it improves; if immoderately, it withers, deteriorates and destroys.