Compulsion hardly restores right; love yields all things.

When the cup of any sensual pleasure is drained to the bottom, there is always poison in the dregs.

none are fit judges of greatness but those who are capable of it.

The flatterer easily insinuates himself into the closet, while honest merit stands shivering in the hall or antechamber.

Any base heart can devise means of vileness, and affix the ugly shapings of its own fancy to the actions of those around him; but it requires loftiness of mind, and the heaven-born spirit of virtue, to imagine greatness where it is not, and to deck the sordid objects of nature in the beautiful robes of loveliness and light.

Guilt is a spiritual Rubicon.

Imparting knowledge is only lighting other men's candles at our lamp without depriving ourselves of any flame.