A state of war or anarchy, in which law has little force, is so far valuable, that it puts every man on trial. The man of principle is known as such, and even in the fury of faction is respected.

When all shoot at one mark, the gods join in the combat.

A man must be clothed with society, or we shall feel a certain bareness and poverty, as of a displaced and unfurnished member. He is to be dressed in arts and institutions, as well as in body garments. Now and then a man exquisitely made can live alone, and must; but coop up most men and you undo them.

I pack my trunk, embrace my friends, embark on the sea and at last wake up in Naples, and there beside me is the stern fact, the sad self, unrelenting, identical, that I fled from.

The poisons are our principal medicines, which kill the disease and save the life.

The measure of action is the sentiment from which it proceeds. The greatest action may easily be one of the most private circumstance.

Nature is reckless of the individual. When she has points to carry, she carries them.