Man is said to be a rational creature; but should it not rather be said, that man is a creature capable of being rational, as we say a parrot is a creature capable of speech?

O wearisome condition of humanity! Born under one law, to another bound; Vainly begot and yet forbidden vanity; Created sick, commanded to be sound.

Men often prove the violence of their own prejudices, even by the violence with which they attack the prejudices of other people.

There are sometimes beauties in a character which would never have appeared but for a defect, and defects which would never have appeared but for a beauty.

Genius always looks forward, and not only sees what is, but what necessarily will be.

No man ever reaches manhood till a woman's tenderness Is a part of his possession.

The mind's eye is perhaps no better fitted for the full radiance of truth, than is the body's for that of the sun.