The force of the guinea you have in your pocket depends wholly on the default of a guinea in your neighbour's pocket. If he did not want it, it would be of no use to you.

The true grotesque being the expression of the repose or play of a serious mind, there is a false grotesque opposed to it, which is the result of the full exertion of a frivolous one.

It is a matter of the simplest demonstration, that no man can be really appreciated but by his equal or superior.

No one can become rich by the efforts of only their toil, but only by the discovery of some method of taxing the labor of others.

Nearly all the evils in the Church have arisen from bishops desiring power more than light. They want authority, not outlook.

Though nature is constantly beautiful, she does not exhibit her highest powers of beauty constantly, for then they would satiate us and pall upon our senses. It is necessary to their appreciation that they should be rarely shown. Her finest touches are things which must be watched for; her most perfect passages of beauty are the most evanescent.

Man's only true happiness is to live in hope of something to be won by him.