Men wish to be saved from the mischiefs of their vices, but not from their vices.

Poets should be law-givers; that is, the boldest lyric inspiration should not chide and insult, but should announce and lead the civil code, and the day's work.

Money is of no value; it cannot spend itself. All depends on the skill of the spender.

Genius seems to consist merely in trueness of sight, in using such words as show that the man was an eye-witness, and not a repeater of what was told.

We sell the thrones of angels for a short and turbulent pleasure.

Men such as they are, very naturally seek money or power; and power because it is as good as money.

When summer opens, I see how fast it matures, and fear it will be short; but after the heats of July and August, I am reconciled, like one who has had his swing, to the cool of autumn.