Nobility of birth is like a cipher; it has no power in itself, like wealth or talent; but, it tells with all the power of a cipher when added to either of the other two.

Nobility of birth is like a cipher; it has no power in itself, like wealth or talent; but, it tells with all the power of a cipher when added to either of the other two.

Where we find echoes, we generally find emptiness and hollowness; it is the contrary with the echoes of the heart.

It is only with the best judges that the highest works of art would lose none of their honor by being seen in their rudiments.

Friends should be very delicate and careful in administering pity as medicine, when enemies use the same article as poison.

Where there is much general deformity nature has often, perhaps generally, accorded some one bodily grace even in over-measure. So, no doubt, with the intellect and disposition, only it is frequently less apparent, and we give ourselves but little trouble to discover it.

We should remember that it is quite as much a part of friendship to be delicate in its demands as to be ample in its performances.