The essence of true nobility is neglect of self. Let the thought of self pass in, and the beauty of a great action is gone, like the bloom from a soiled flower.

The moral system of the universe is like a document written in alternate ciphers, which change from line to line.

I have long been convinced that the Christian Eucharist is but a continuation of the Eleusinian mysteries. St Paul, in using the word teleiois, almost confirms this.

Nature is less partial than she appears, and all situations in life have their compensations along with them.

We must have the real thing before we can have a science of a thing.

The first duty of an historian is to be on his guard against his own sympathies...

Truth only smells sweet forever, and illusions, however innocent, are deadly as the canker worm.