The man of pleasure, by a vain attempt to be more happy than any man can be, is often more miserable than most men are.

Idleness is the grand Pacific Ocean of life, and in that stagnant abyss the most salutary things produce no good, the most noxious no evil. Vice, indeed, abstractedly considered, may be, and often is engendered in idleness; but the moment it becomes efficiently vice, it must quit its cradle and cease to be idle.

Time ... advances like the slowest tide, but retreats like the swiftest torrent.

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.

When you have nothing to say, say nothing; a weak defense strengthens your opponent, and silence is less injurious than a bad reply.

Hannibal knew better how to conquer than how to profit by the conquest; and Napoleon was more skilful in taking positions than in maintaining them. As to reverses, no general cart presume to say that he may not be defeated; but he can, and ought to say, that he will not be surprised.

Subtract from many modern poets all that may be found in Shakespeare, and trash will remain.