A jurisdiction thus vague and arbitrary was exposed to the most dangerous abuse: the substance, as well as the form, of justice were often sacrificed to the prejudices of virtue, the bias of laudable affection, and the grosser seductions of interest or resentment.

My early and invincible love of reading I would not exchange for all the riches of India.

Greek is a musical and prolific language, that gives a soul to the objects of sense, and a body to the abstractions of philosophy.

The voice of history is often little more than the organ of hatred or flattery.

The ancients were destitute of many of the conveniences of life which have been invented or improved by the progress of industry; and the plenty of glass and linen has diffused more real comforts among the modern nations of Europe than the senators of Rome could derive from all the refinements of pompous or sensual luxury.

The Roman government appeared every day less formidable to its enemies, more odious and oppressive to its subjects.

Persuasion is the resource of the feeble; and the feeble can seldom persuade . . .