It is an easy and vulgar thing to please the mob, and no very arduous task to astonish them.

Most females will forgive a liberty rather than a slight

I question if Epicurus and Hume have done mankind a greater service by the looseness of their doctrines than by the purity of their lives. Of such men we may more justly exclaim, than of Caesar, "Confound their virtues, they've undone the world!

Kings and their subjects, masters and slaves, find a common level in two places - at the foot of the cross, and in the grave.

Some frauds succeed from the apparent candor, the open confidence, and the full blaze of ingenuousness that is thrown around them. The slightest mystery would excite suspicion and ruin all. Such stratagems may be compared to the stars; they are discoverable by darkness and hidden only by light.

There are some who affect a want of affectation, and flatter themselves that they are above flattery; they are proud of being thought extremely humble, and would go round the world to punish those who thought them capable of revenge; they are so satisfied of the suavity of their own temper that they would quarrel with their dearest benefactor only for doubting it.

The art of declamation has been sinking in value from the moment that speakers were foolish enough to publish, and hearers wise enough to read.