We ascribe beauty to that which is simple; which has no superfluous parts; which exactly answers its end; which stands related to all things; which is the mean of many extremes.

The intelligent have a right over the ignorant; namely, the right of instructing them.

The wise man, the true friend, the finished character, we seek everywhere, and only find in fragments.

The reason why any one refuses his assent to your opinion, or his aid to your benevolent design, is in you: he refuses to accept you as a bringer of truth, because, though you think you have it, he feels that you have it not. You have not given him the authentic sign.

But there is no end to the praise of books, to the value of the library. Who shall estimate their influence on our population where all the millions read and write ? It is the joy of nations that man can communicate all his thoughts, discoveries and virtues to records that may last for centuries.

We fancy men are individuals; so are pumpkins; but every pumpkin in the field goes through every point of pumpkin history.

We must be our own before we can be another's.