The revolution of ages may bring round the same calamities; but ages may revolve without producing a Tacitus to describe them.

Books are those faithful mirrors that reflect to our mind the minds of sages and heroes.

The theologian may indulge the pleasing task of describing Religion as she descended from Heaven, arrayed in her native purity. A more melancholy duty is imposed on the historian. He must discover the inevitable mixture of error and corruption which she contracted in a long residence upon Earth, among a weak and degenerate race of beings.

In the field of controversy I always pity the moderate party, who stand on the open middle ground exposed to the fire of both sides.

When Julian ascended the throne, he declared his impatience to embrace and reward the Syrian sophist, who had preserved, in a degenerate age, the Grecian purity of taste, of manners and of religion. The emperor's prepossession was increased and justified by the discreet pride of his favourite.

I was never less alone than when by myself.

Extreme distress, which unites the virtue of a free people, imbitters the factions of a declining monarchy.