Pity that consequences are determined not by excuses but by actions!

One way of getting an idea of our fellow-countrymen's miseries is to go and look at their pleasures.

Might, could, would - they are contemptible auxiliaries.

Given, a man with moderate intellect, a moral standard not higher than the average, some rhetorical affluence and a great glibness of speech, what is the career in which, without the aid of birth or money, he may most easily attain power and reputation in English society? Where is that Goshen of mediocrity in which a smattering of science and learning will pass for profound instruction, where platitudes will be accepted as wisdom, bigoted narrowness as holy zeal, unctuous egoism as God-given piety?

Susceptible persons are more affected by a change of tone that by unexpected words.

He was of an impressible nature, and lived a great deal in other people's opinions and feelings concerning himself.

Loquacity with tongue or pen is its own reward -- or, punishment.