Executions, far from being useful examples to the survivors, have, I am persuaded, a quite contrary effect, by hardening the heart they ought to terrify. Besides, the fear of an ignominious death, I believe, never deterred anyone from the commission of a crime, because in committing it the mind is roused to activity about present circumstances.

Modesty is the graceful, calm virtue of maturity; bashfulness the charm of vivacious youth.

The being cannot be termed rational or virtuous, who obeys any authority, but that of reason.

True happiness must arise from well-regulated affections, and an affection includes a duty.

Learn from me, if not by my precepts, then by my example, how dangerous is the pursuit of knowledge and how much happier is that man who believes his native town to be the world than he who aspires to be greater than his nature will allow.

The flexible muscles growing daily more rigid give character to the countenance ; that is, they trace the operations of the mind with the iron pen of fate, and tell us not only what powers are within, but how they have been employed.

The endeavor to keep alive any hoary establishment beyond its natural date is often pernicious and always useless.