Imagination, which is the Eldorado of the poet and of the novel-writer, often proves the most pernicious gift to the individuals who compose the talkers instead of the writers in society.

Conversation is the legs on which thought walks; and writing, the wings by which it flies.

Wit is the lightning of the mind, reason the sunshine, and reflection the moonlight.

Superstition is only the fear of belief, while religion is the confidence.

The most certain mode of making people content with us is to make them content with themselves.

Despotism subjects a nation to one tyrant; democracy, to many.

Flattery, if judiciously administered, is always acceptable.