Our admiration of fine writing will always be in proportion to its real difficulty and its apparent ease.

If martyrdom is now on the decline, it is not because martyrs are less zealous, but because martyr-mongers are more wise. The light of intellect has put out the fire of persecution, as other fires are observed to smoulder before the light of the same.

In all places, and in all times, those religionists who have believed too much have been more inclined to violence and persecution than those who have believed too little.

It is adverse to talent to be consorted and trained up with inferior minds and inferior companions, however high they may rank. The foal of the racer neither finds out his speed nor calls out his powers if pastured out with the common herd, that are destined for the collar and the yoke.

Death is like thunder in two particulars; we are alarmed, at the sound of it; and it is formidable only from that which preceded it.

The excesses of our youth are drafts upon our old age.

The poorest man would not part with health for money, but the richest would gladly part with all their money for health.