Gold is worshipped in all climates, without a single temple, and by all classes, without a single hypocrite.

A coxcomb begins by determining that his own profession is the first; and he finishes by deciding that he is the first of profession.

Happiness ... leads none of us by the same route.

We ought not to be over-anxious to encourage innovation in cases of doubtful improvement, for an old system must ever have two advantages over a new one; it is established, and it is understood.

She is deceitful as the calm that precedes the hurricane, smooth as the water on the verge of the cataract, and beautiful as the rainbow, that smiling daughter of the storm; but, like the mirage in the desert, she tantalizes us with a delusion that distance creates, and that contiguity destroys.

We should have a glorious conflagration, if all who cannot put fire into their works would only consent to put their works into the fire.

The acquirements of science may be termed the armour of the mind; but that armour would be worse than useless, that cost us all we had, and left us nothing to defend.