All disputation makes the mind deaf; and when people are deaf, I am dumb.

Professional critics are incapable of distinguishing and appreciating either diamonds in the rough or gold in bars. They are traders, and in literature know only the coins that are current. Their critical lab has scales and weights, but neither crucible or touchstone.

It is an aspect of all happiness to suppose that we deserve it.

Genius is the ability to see things invisible, to manipulate things intangible, to paint things that have no features

The lively phraseology of Montesquieu was the result of long meditation. His words, as light as wings, bear on them grave reflections.

Proverbs may be said to be the abridgment of wisdom.

Innocence is always unsuspicious.