When the painter wishes to represent an event, he cannot place before us too great a number of personages; but he cannot employ too few when he wishes to portray an emotion.

The dregs may stir themselves as they please; they fall back to the bottom by their own coarseness.

There are some men who are witty when they are in a bad humor, and others only when they are sad.

What is true by lamplight is not always true by sunlight.

Let us have justice, and then we shall have enough liberty!

Be saving, but not at the cost of all liberality. Have the soul of a king and the hand of a wise economist.

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.