The whole genius of an author consists in describing well, and delineating character well. Homer, Plato, Virgil, Horace only excel other writers by their expressions and images; we must indicate what is true if we mean to write naturally, forcibly and delicately.

It is the glory and merit of some men to write well and of others not to write at all.

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

Don't wait to be happy to laugh... You may die and never have laughed.

I would not like to see a person who is sober, moderate, chaste and just say that there is no God. They would speak disinterestedly at least, but such a person is not to be found.

Profane eloquence is transfered from the bar, where Le Maitre, Pucelle, and Fourcroy formerly practised it, and where it has become obsolete, to the Pulpit, where it is out of place.

Men blush less for their crimes than for their weaknesses and vanity.