All that is noble is in itself of a quiet nature, and appears to sleep until it is aroused and summoned forth by contrast.

Lord Byron is only great as a poet; as soon as he reflects he is a child.

If it is the greatest truth that you seek, the plants can direct you.

Legislators and revolutionaries who promise both equality and liberty are visionaries and charlatans.

To me the external existence of my soul is proved from my idea of activity. If I work incessantly until my death, nature will give me another form of existence when the present can no longer sustain my spirit.

The works of Lavoisier and his associates operated upon many of us at that time like the Sun's rising after a night of moonshine: but Chemistry is now betrothed to the Mathematics, and is in consequence grown somewhat shy of her former admirers.

In society every man is taken for what he gives himself out to be; but he must give himself out to be something. Better to be slightly disagreeable than altogether insignificant.