In a democracy, the majority of the citizens is capable of exercising the most cruel oppressions upon the minority.

The only kind of sublimity which a painter or sculptor should aim at is to express by certain proportions and positions of limbs and features that strength and dignity of mind, and vigor and activity of body, which enables men to conceive and execute great actions.

The question is not whether you have a right to render people miserable, but whether it is not in your best interest to make them happy.

A speculative despair is unpardonable where it our duty to act.

To speak of atrocious crime in mild language is treason to virtue.

The starry heaven, though it occurs so very frequently to our view, never fails to excite an idea of grandeur. This cannot be owing to the stars themselves, separately considered. The number is certainly the cause. The apparent disorder augments the grandeur, for the appearance of care is highly contrary to our ideas of magnificence. Besides, the stars lie in such apparent confusion, as makes it impossible on ordinary occasions to reckon them. This gives them the advantage of a sort of infinity.

The most favourable laws can do very little towards the happiness of people when the disposition of the ruling power is adverse to them.