Conversation enriches the understanding, but solitude is the school of genius.

The author himself is the best judge of his own performance; none has so deeply meditated on the subject; none is so sincerely interested in the event.

There is more pleasure to building castles in the air than on the ground.

Although the progress of civilisation has undoubtedly contributed to assuage the fiercer passions of human nature, it seems to have been less favourable to the virtue of chastity, whose most dangerous enemy is the softness of the mind. The refinements of life corrupt while they polish the intercourse of the sexes. The gross appetite of love becomes most dangerous when it is elevated, or rather, indeed, disguised by sentimental passion.

Fanaticism obliterates the feelings of humanity.

Conversation enriches the understanding, but solitude is the school of genius.

But a wild democracy . . . too often disdains the essential principles of justice.