Self-denial is often the sacrifice of one sort of self-love for another.

It is always easy to shut a book, but not quite so easy to get rid of a lettered coxcomb.

A semi-civilized state of society, equally removed from the extremes of barbarity and of refinement, seems to be that particular meridian under which all the reciprocities and gratuities of hospitality do most readily flourish and abound. For it so happens that the ease, the luxury, and the abundance of the highest state of civilization, are as productive of selfishness, as the difficulties, the privations, and the sterilities of he lowest.

He that can enjoy the intimacy of the great, and on no occasion disgust them by familiarity, or disgrace himself by servility, proves that he is as perfect a gentleman by nature as his companions are by rank.

If Satan ever laughs, it must be at hypocrites; they are the greatest dupes he has.

True goodness is not without that germ of greatness that can bear with patience the mistakes of the ignorant.

That cowardice is incorrigible which the love of power cannot overcome.