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.

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

Manners carry the world for the moment, character for all time.

Jesting is often only indigence of intellect.

Every hour in itself, as it respects us in particular, is the only one we can call our own.

A person's worth in this world is estimated according to the value he puts on himself.

Duty is what goes most against the grain, because in doing that we do only what we are strictly obliged to, and are seldom much praised for it.