When a man of genius appears in the world, it is immediately recognized by the fact that all the blockheads join forces against him.

I have always a sacred veneration for anyone I observe to be a little out of repair in his person, as supposing him either a poet or a philosopher.

In all distresses of our friends We first consult our private ends; While Nature, kindly bent to ease us, Points out some circumstance to please us.

Men always grow vicious before they become unbelievers.

The stoical scheme of supplying our wants by lopping off our desires, is like cutting off our feet when we want shoes.

She watches him as a cat would watch a mouse.

It is the first rule in oratory that a man must appear such as he would persuade others to be: and that can be accomplished only by the force of his life.