The history of a man is in his character.

It is only in misery that we recognize the hand of God leading good men to good.

Waste not a day in vain digression; with resolute, courageous trust seek every possible impression and make it firmly your posession you'll then work on because you must.

I have always paid attention to the merits of my enemies, and found it an advantage.

We cannot too soon convince ourselves how easily we may be dispensed with in the world. What important personages we imagine ourselves to be! We think that we alone are the life of the circle in which we move; in our absence, we fancy that life, existence, breath will come to a general pause, and, alas, the gap which we leave is scarcely perceptible, so quickly is it filled again; nay, it is often the place, if not of something better, at least for something more agreeable.

The work of art may have a moral effect, but to demand moral purpose from the artist is to make him ruin his work.

I wish the crowd to feel itself well treated, Especially since it lives and lets me live.