A coxcomb begins by determining that his own profession is the first; and he finishes by deciding that he is the first of profession.

Literature has her quacks no less than medicine, and they are divided into two classes; those who have erudition without genius, and those who have volubility without depth; we shall get second-hand sense from the one, and original nonsense from the other.

The reign of terror to which France submitted has been more justly termed "the reign of cowardice." One knows not which most to execrate,--the nation that could submit to suffer such atrocities, or that low and bloodthirsty demagogue that could inflict them. France, in succumbing to such a wretch as Robespierre, exhibited, not her patience, but her pusillanimity.

Attempts at reform, when they fail, strengthen despotism, as he that struggles tightens those cords he does not succeed in breaking.

Men will wrangle for religion, write for it, fight for it, die for it; anything but live for it.

Contemporaries appreciate the person rather than their merit, posterity will regard the merit rather than the person.

That is true beauty which has not only a substance, but a spirit; a beauty that we must intimately know, justly to appreciate.