The greatest of characters, no doubt, would be he, who, free of all trifling accidental helps, could see objects through one grand immutable medium, always at hand, and proof against illusion and time, reflecting every object in its true shape and colour through all the fluctuation of things.

The craftiest trickery are too short and ragged a cloak to cover a bad heart.

Do not believe that a book is good, if in reading it thou dost not become more contented with thy existence, if it does not rouse up in thee most generous feelings.

In the society of ladies, want of sense is not so unpardonable as want of manners.

He scatters enjoyment who can enjoy much.

He whose pride oppresses the humble may perhaps be humbled, but will never be humble.

What knowledge is there of which man is capable that is not founded on the exterior,--the relation that exists between visible and invisible, the perceptible and the imperceptible?