He who best knows the world will love it least.

Courtesy is only a thin veneer on the general selfishness.

We must have books for recreation and entertainment, as well as books for instruction and for business; the former are agreeable, the latter useful, and the human mind requires both. The cannon law and the codes of Justinian shall have due honor, and reign at the universities; but Homer and Virgil need not therefore be banished. We will cultivate the olive and the vine, but without eradicating the myrtle and the rose.

Despotism accomplishes great things illegally; liberty doesn't even go to the trouble of accomplishing small things legally.

To speak of love is to make love.

He has great tranquility of heart who cares neither for the praises nor the fault-finding of men.

Beauty is the greatest of human powers. Any power without counterbalance or control becomes autocratic and leads to abuse and to folly. Despotism in a government is insanity; in woman, fantasy.