A nation never falls but by suicide.

Of course you will insist on modesty in the children, and respect to their teachers, but if the boy stops you in your speech, cries out that you are wrong and sets you right, hug him!

Among the multitude of scholars and authors, we feel no hallowing presence; we are sensible of a knack and skill rather than of inspiration; they have a light, and know not whence it comes, and call it their own; their talent is some exaggerated faculty, some overgrown member, so that their strength is a disease.

A beautiful woman is a practical poet.

Do the thing and you will have the power. But they that do not the thing, had not the power.

How cunningly nature hides every wrinkle of her inconceivable antiquity under roses and violets and morning dew!

Pride is handsome, economical; pride eradicates so many vices, letting none subsist but itself, that it seems as if it were a great gain to exchange vanity for pride.