No oppression is so heavy or lasting as that which is inflicted by the perversion and exorbitance of legal authority.

He only is a great man who can neglect the applause of the multitude and enjoy himself independent of its favor.

Contentment produces, in some measure, all those effects which the alchemist usually ascribes to what he calls the philosopher's stone; and if it does not bring riches, it does the same thing by banishing the desire for them.

Among the English authors, Shakespeare has incomparably excelled all others. That noble extravagance of fancy, which he had in so great perfection, thoroughly qualified him to touch the weak, superstitious part of his readers' imagination, and made him capable of succeeding where he had nothing to support him besides the strength of his own genius.

It is folly to seek the approbation of any being besides the Supreme.

Fables take off from the severity of instruction, and enforce it at the same time that they conceal it.

Jesters do often prove prophets.