One seeks to make the loved one entirely happy, or, if that cannot be, entirely wretched.

A mediocre mind thinks it writes divinely; a good mind thinks it writes reasonably.

Even the best intentioned of great men need a few scoundrels around them; there are some things you cannot ask an honest ma to do.

The pleasure of criticizing takes away from us the pleasure of being moved by some very fine things.

Both as to high and low indifferently, men are prepossessed, charmed, fascinated by success; successful crimes are praised very much like virtue itself, and good fortune is not far from occupying the place of the whole cycle of virtues. It must be an atrocious act, a base and hateful deed, which success would not be able to justify.

When what you read elevates your mind and fills you with noble aspirations, look for no other rule by which to judge a book; it is good, and is the work of a master-hand.

It is boorish to live ungraciously: the giving is the hardest part; what does it cost to add a smile?