Can that which is the greatest virtue in philosophy, doubt (called by Galileo the father of invention), be in religion what the priests term it, the greatest of sins?

The highest excellence is seldom attained in more than one vocation. The roads leading to distinction in separate pursuits diverge, and the nearer we approach the one, the farther we recede from the other.

Passion looks not beyond the moment of its existence. Better, it says, the kisses of love to day, than the felicities of heaven afar off.

It is the passion that is in a kiss that gives to it its sweetness; it is the affection in a kiss that sanctifies it.

He that shrinks from the grave with too great a dread, has an invisible fear behind him pushing him into it.

Successful love takes a load off our hearts, and puts it upon our shoulders.

Books are embalmed minds.