How happy the station which every moment furnishes opportunities of doing good to thousands! How dangerous that which every moment exposes to the injuring of millions!

Rarely do they appear great before their valets.

High birth is a gift of fortune which should never challenge esteem towards those who receive it, since it costs them neither study nor labor.

It is in vain to ridicule a rich fool, for the laughers will be on his side.

A heap of epithets is poor praise: the praise lies in the facts, and in the way of telling them.

A simple garb is the proper costume of the vulgar; it is cut for them, and exactly suits their measure, but it is an ornament for those who have filled up their lives with great deeds. I liken them to beauty in dishabille, but more bewitching on that account.

It requires more than mere genius to be an author.