He cumbers himself never about consequences, about interests; he gives an independent, genuine verdict. You must court him: he does not court you. But the man is, as it were, clapped into jail by his consciousness.

What torments of grief you endured, from evils that never arrived

It is very odd that Nature should be so unscrupulous. She is no saint . . .

The boxer's ring is the enjoyment of the part of society whose animal nature alone has been developed.

When he is pushed, tormented, defeated, he has a chance to learn something; he has been put on his wits, on his manhood; he has gained facts; learns his ignorance; is cured of the insanity of conceit; has got moderation and real skill.

It is a tie between men to have read the same book.

A great man will find a great subject, or which is the same thing, make any subject great.