[On Italian:] One may almost call it a language that talks of itself, and always seems more witty than its speakers.

A religious life is a struggle and not a hymn.

The education of life perfects the thinking mind, but depraves the frivolous.

The language of religion can alone suit every situation and every mode of feeling.

Of all human sentiments, enthusiasm creates the most happiness; it is the only sentiment in fact which gives real happiness, the only sentiment which can help us to bear our human destiny in any situation in which we may find ourselves.

Politeness is the art of choosing among your thoughts.

Where no interest is takes in science, literature and liberal pursuits, mere facts and insignificant criticisms necessarily become the themes of discourse; and minds, strangers alike to activity and meditation, become so limited as to render all intercourse with them at once tasteless and oppressive.