I am so convinced of the advantages of looking at mankind instead of reading about them, . . . that I think there should be a law amongst us to set our young men abroad for a term among the few allies our wars have left us.

I am never long, even in the society of her I love, without yearning for the company of my lamp and my library.

The devil was the first democrat

It has been said that the immortality of the soul is a grand peut-tre -but still it is a grand one. Everybody clings to it -the stupidest, and dullest, and wickedest of human bipeds is still persuaded that he is immortal.

Perhaps the early grave Which men weep over may be meant to save.

I stood in Venice, on the Bridge of Sighs, A palace and a prison on each hand.

I have always believed that all things depended upon Fortune, and nothing upon ourselves.