Philosophy is a bully that talks loud when the danger is at a distant; but, the moment she is pressed hard by an enemy, she is nowhere to be found and leaves the brunt of the battle to be fought by her steady, humble comrade, religion.

Constant success shows us but one side of the world; adversity brings out the reverse of the picture.

There are two modes of establishing our reputation; to be praised by honest men, and to be abused by rogues.

If a book really wants the patronage of a great name, it is a bad book; and if it be a good book, it wants it not.

It is a mistake, that a lust for power is the mark of a great mind; for even the weakest have been captivated by it; and for minds of the highest order, it has no charms.

All poets pretend to write for immortality, but the whole tribe have no objection to present pay and present praise.

Secrecy is the soul of all great designs.