It is, indeed, a fact that, in the midst of society and sociability every evil inclination has to place itself under such great restraint, don so many masks, lay itself so often on the procrustean bed of virtue, that one could well speak of a martyrdom of the evil man. In solitude all this falls away. He who is evil is at his most evil in solitude: which is where he is at his best - and thus to the eye of him who sees everywhere only a spectacle also at his most beautiful.

Good prose is written only face to face with poetry.

No victor believes in chance.

They would have to sing better songs for me to learn to have faith in their Redeemer; and his disciples would have to look more redeemed!

Never to talk about oneself is a very refined form of hypocrisy.

Life is at an end where the kingdom of God begins

The grand style follows suit with all great passion. It disdains to please, it forgets to persuade. It commands. It wills.