No man can quite emancipate himself from his age and country, or produce a model in which the education, the religion, the politics, usages, and arts, of his times shall have no share.

The merit of those who fill a space in the world's history, who are borne forward, as it were, by the weight of thousands whom they lead, shed a perfume less sweet than do the sacrifices of private virtue.

If I quake, what matters it what I quake at? Our proper vice takes form in one or another shape, according to the sex, age, or temperament of the person, and, if we are capable of fear, will readily find terrors.

All the mistakes I make arise from forsaking my own station and trying to see the object from another person's point of view.

Who can . . . guess how much industry and providence and affection we have caught from the pantomime of brutes?

If you would lift me up you must be on higher ground.

What you are comes to you.