Men love to hear of their power, but have an extreme disrelish to be told their duty.

I have not yet lost a feeling of wonder, and of delight, that the delicate motion should reside in all the things around us, revealing itself only to him who looks for it.

I do not know how to wish success to those whose Victory is to separate from us a large and noble part of our Empire. Still less do I wish success to injustice, oppression and absurdity.

General rebellions and revolts of a whole people never were encouraged now or at any time. They are always provoked.

Whenever our neighbour's house is on fire, it cannot be amiss for the engines to play a little on our own.

Toleration is good for all, or it is good for none.

The perfection of conversation is not to play a regular sonata, but, like the AEolian harp, to await the inspiration of the passing breeze.