Even the greatest actions of a celebrated person labor under this disadvantage, that however surprising and extraordinary they may be, they are no more than what are expected from him.

Knowledge is, indeed, that which, next to virtue, truly and essentially raises one man above another.

Admiration is a very short lived passion that immediately decays upon growing familiar with its object, unless it still be fed with fresh discoveries, and kept alive by a new perpetual succession of miracles rising up to its view.

Quick sensitivity is inseperable from a ready understanding.

An ostentatious man will rather relate a blunder or an absurdity he has committed, than be debarred from talking of his own dear person.

As addictions go, reading is among the cleanest, easiest to feed, happiest.

An honest man, that is not quite sober, has nothing to fear.