Ambition makes the same mistake concerning power that avarice makes concerning wealth. She begins by accumulating power as a means to happiness, and she finishes by continuing to accumulate it as an end.

Like the rainbow, peace rests upon the earth, but its arch is lost in heaven. Heaven bathes it in hues of light--it springs up amid tears and clouds--it is a reflection of the eternal sun--it is an assurance of calm--it is the sign of a great covenant between God and man--it is an emanation from the distant orb of immortal light.

Tyrants have not yet discovered any chains that can fetter the mind.

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

That is fine benevolence, finely executed, which, like the Nile, comes from hidden sources.

In life we shall find many men that are great, and some that are good, but very few men that are both great and good.

Brutes leave ingratitude to man.