It may be said, almost without qualification, that true wisdom consists in the ready and accurate perception of analogies. Without the former quality, knowledge of the past is unobstructive: without the latter it is deceptive.

Neither human applause nor human censure is to be taken as the best of truth; but either should set us upon testing ourselves.

Nothing but the right can ever be expedient, since that can never be true expediency which would sacrifice a great good to a less.

Better too much form than too little.

There is no right faith in believing what is true, unless we believe it because it is true.

Woman is like the reed which bends to every breeze, but breaks not in the tempest.

Unless people can be kept in the dark, it is best for those who love the truth to give them the full light.