He presents me with what is always an acceptable gift who brings me news of a great thought before unknown. He enriches me without impoverishing himself. The judicious quoter, too, helps on what is much needed in the world, a freer circulation of good thoughts, pure feelings, and pleasant fancies.

He half retrieves a defeat who yields to it gracefully.

Intellectually, as politically, the direction of all true progress is towards greater freedom, and along an endless succession of ideas.

Contentment is not happiness. An oyster may be contented. Happiness is compounded of richer elements.

What we call conscience in many instances, is only a wholesome fear of the law.

The opinions of the misanthropical rest upon this very partial basis, that they adopt the bad faith of a few as evidence of the worthlessness of all.

Affliction, like the iron-smith, shapes as it smites.