There is a natural disposition with us to judge an author's personal character by the character of his works. We find it difficult to understand the common antithesis of a good writer and a bad man.

In activity we must find our joy as well as glory; and labor, like everything else that is good, is its own reward.

Sin, every day, takes out a patent for some new invention.

A politician weakly and amiably in the right, is no match for a politician tenaciously and pugnaciously in the wrong.

There is a serious and resolute egotism that makes a man interesting to his friends and formidable to his opponents.

Sydney Smith playfully says that common sense was invented by Socrates, that philosopher having been one of its most conspicuous exemplars in conducting the contest of practical sagacity against stupid prejudice and illusory beliefs.

An epigram often flashes light into regions where reason shines but dimly.