Our manners, our civilization, and all the good things connected with manners and civilization, have, in this European world of ours, depended for ages upon two principles: I mean the spirit of a gentleman, and the spirit of religion.

I consider how little man is, yet, in his own mind, how great. He is lord and master of all things, yet scarce can command anything.

Great men are never sufficiently shown but in struggles.

Contempt is not a thing to be despised. It may be borne with a calm and equal mind, but no man, by lifting his head high, can pretend that he does not perceive the scorns that are poured down on him from above.

Flattery corrupts both the receiver and the giver; and adulation is not of more service to the people than to kings.

The greater the power, the more dangerous the abuse.

A people who are still, as it were, but in the gristle, and not yet hardened into the bone of manhood.