Applause is the spur of noble minds, the end and aim of weak ones.

When bad men combine, the good must associate; else they will fall one by one, an unpitied sacrifice in a contemptible struggle.

Though ugliness be the opposite of beauty, it is not the opposite to proportion and fitness; for it is possible that a thing may be very ugly with any proportions, and with a perfect fitness for any use.

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

There is a courageous wisdom; there is also a false, reptile prudence, the result not of caution but of fear.

There are some men formed with feelings so blunt that they can hardly be said to be awake during the whole course of their lives.

The effect of liberty to individuals is that they may do what they please: we ought to see what it will please them to do, before we risk congratulations.