Peter had a genius for imitation; but he lacked true genius, which is creative and makes all from nothing.

Jewish authors would never have invented either that style nor that morality; and the Gospel has marks of truth so great, so striking, so utterly inimitable, that the invention of it would be more astonishing than the hero.

Everything made by man may be destroyed by man; there are no ineffaceable characters except those engraved by nature; and nature makes neither princes nor rich men nor great lords.

At Genoa, the word Liberty may be read over the front of the prisons and on the chains of the galley-slaves. This application of the device is good and just. It is indeed only malefactors of all estates who prevent the citizen from being free. In the country in which all such men were in the galleys, the most perfect liberty would be enjoyed.

Liberty may be gained, but can never be recovered.

The want of occupation is no less the plague of society than of solitude.

Remorse sleeps during prosperity but awakes bitter consciousness during adversity.