It is an advantage to all narrow wisdom and narrow morals that their maxims have a plausible air; and, on a cursory view, appear equal to first principles. They are light and portable. They are as current as copper coin; and about as valuable.

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.

It looks to me to be narrow and pedantic to apply the ordinary ideas of criminal justice to this great public contest. I do not know the method of drawing up an indictment against a whole people.

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.

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.

The nature of things is, I admit, a sturdy adversary.

Flattery is no more than what raises in a man's mind an idea of a preference which he has not.