It is with disease of the mind, as with those of the body; we are half dead before we understand our disorder, and half cured when we do.

We submit to the society of those that can inform us, but we seek the society of those whom we can inform. And men of genius ought not to be chagrined if they see themselves neglected. For when we communicate knowledge, we are raised in our own estimation; but when we receive it, we are lowered.

The hand that unnerved Belshazzar derived its most horrifying influence from the want of a body, and death itself is not formidable in what we do know of it, but in what we do not.

Too high an appreciation of our own talents is the chief cause why experience preaches to us all in vain.

We often pretend to fear what we really despise, and more often despise what we really fear.

To be a mere verbal critic is what no man of genius would be if he could; but to be a critic of true taste and feeling is what no man without genius could be if he would.

Diffidence is the better part of knowledge.