Facts are to the mind what food is to the body. On the due digestion of the former depend the strength and wisdom of the one, just as vigor and health depend on the other. The wisest in council, the ablest in debate, and the most agreeable companion in the commerce of human life, is that man who has assimilated to his understanding the greatest number of facts.

Dangers by being despised grow great.

Falsehood is a perennial spring.

Public calamity is a mighty leveller.

There are circumstances in which despair does not imply inactivity.

You will smile here at the consistency of those democratists who, when they are not on their guard, treat the humbler part of the community with the greatest contempt, whilst, at the same time they pretend to make them the depositories of all power.

Poetry is the art of substantiating shadows, and of lending existence to nothing.