Criticism is like champagne, nothing more execrable if bad, nothing more excellent if good.

Light, whether it be material or moral, is the best reformer.

Theory is worth but little, unless it can explain its own phenomena, and it must effect this without contradicting itself; therefore, the facts are sometimes assimilated to the theory, rather than the theory to the facts.

The praise of the envious is far less creditable than their censure; they praise only that which they can surpass, but that which surpasses them they censure.

There are many that despise half the world; but if there be any that despise the whole of it, it is because the other half despises them.

It may be observed of good writing, as of good blood, that it is much easier to say what it is composed of than to compose it.

True contentment depends not upon what we have; a tub was large enough for Diogenes, but a world was too little for Alexander.