To amend mankind, moralists should show them man, not as he is, but as he ought to be.

It is a sad thing to look at happiness only through another's eyes.

Superstition is but the fear of belief.

Mountains appear more lofty the nearer they are approached, but great men resemble them not in this particular.

Flattery, if judiciously administered, is always acceptable.

[His mind] was like a volcano, full of fire and wealth, sometimes calm, often dazzling and playful, but ever threatening. It ran swift as the lightning from one subject to another, and occasionally burst forth in passionate throes of intellect, nearly allied to madness.

Tears fell from my eyes - yes, weak and foolish as it now appears to me, I wept for my departed youth; and for that beauty of which the faithful mirror too plainly assured me, no remnant existed.