With the offspring of genius, the law of parturition is reversed; the throes are in the conception, the pleasure in the birth.

As the rays of the sun, notwithstanding their velocity, injure not the eye, by reason of their minuteness, so the attacks of envy, notwithstanding their number, ought not to wound our virtue by reason of their insignificance.

Great men, like comets, are eccentric in their courses, and formed to do extensive good by modes unintelligible to vulgar minds.

Of all the marvelous works of God, perhaps the one angels view with the most supreme astonishment, is a proud man.

Doubt is the vestibule through which all must pass before they can enter into the temple of wisdom.

If all seconds were as averse to duels as their principals, very little blood would be shed in that way.

Natural good is' so intimately connected with moral good, and natural evil with moral evil, that I am as certain as if I heard a voice from heaven proclaim it, that God is on the side of virtue. He has learnt much, and has not lived in vain, who has practically discovered that most strict and necessary connection, that does and will ever exist between vice and misery, and virtue and happiness.