Intellect does not attain its full force unless it attacks power.

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.

I never was able to believe in the existence of next year except as in a metaphysical notion.

Men have made of fortune an all-powerful goddess, in order that she may be made responsible for all their blunder's.

There are women vain of advantages not connected with their persons, such as birth, rank, and fortune; it is difficult to feel less the dignity of the sex. The origin of all women may be called celestial, for their power is the offspring of the gifts of Nature; by yielding to pride and ambition they soon destroy the magic of their charms.

The study of history, it seems to me, leads to the conviction that all important events tend toward the same end - the civilization of mankind.

The only equitable manner in my opinion, of judging the character of a man is to examine if there are personal calculations in his conduct; if there are not, we may blame his manner of judging, but we are not the less bound to esteem him.