Self-love, so sensitive in its own cause, has rarely any sympathy to spare for others.

a perfect piece of architecture kindles that aimless reverie, which bears the soul we know not whither.

[Moralistic] novels are at the same disadvantage as teachers: children never believe them, because they make everything that happens relate to the lesson at hand.

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.

We always cut our poetical theories to suit our talent.

What matters in a character is not whether one holds this or that opinion: what matters is how proudly one upholds it.

The greatest happiness is to transform one's feelings into action.