Great warriors, like great earthquakes, are principally remembered for the mischief they have done.

We should not so much esteem our poverty as a misfortune, were it not that the world treats it so much as a crime

Out of politics comes more uproar than progress. It is indeed surprising how little, comparatively, this noisy department of human affairs contributes to the world's prosperity. Political commotions upon the grandest scale, political events of astounding suddenness, political characters of the greatest ability, abound, but still, permanent results are rare, and we look in vain for a measure of public good corresponding in extent to the hideous rout which ushers it in. Progress but turns upon its pillow, and goes to sleep again.

In the assurance of strength there is strength; and they are the weakest, however strong, who have no faith in themselves or their powers.

Qualities not regulated run into their opposites. Economy before competence is meanness after it. Therefore economy is for the poor; the rich may dispense with it.

The loss of a beloved connection awakens an interest in Heaven before unfelt.

How like a railway tunnel is the poor man's life, with the light of childhood at one end, the intermediate gloom, and only the glimmer of a future life at the other extremity!