A man's fortunes are the fruit of his character. A man's friends are his magnetisms.

Good criticism is very rare and always precious.

In a library we are surrounded by many hundreds of dear friends, but they are imprisoned by an enchanter in these paper and leathern boxes.

The true scholar grudges every opportunity of action passed, by, as a loss of power.

In our fine arts, not imitation, but creation is the aim... The details, the prose of nature, he should omit, and give us only the spirit and splendour.

Government has come to be a trade, and is managed solely on commercial principles. A man plunges into politics to make his fortune, and only cares that the world shall last his days.

Life is a series of surprises.