Of metaphors, those generally conduce most to energy or vivacity of style which illustrate an intellectual by a sensible object.

Every instance of a man's suffering the penalty of the law is an instance of the failure of that penalty in effecting its purpose, which is to deter.

It is folly to expect men to do all that they may reasonably be expected to do.

The word of knowledge, strictly employed, implies three things: truth, proof, and conviction.

Geologists complain that when they want specimens of the common rocks of a country, they receive curious spars; just so, historians give us the extraordinary events and omit just what we want,--the every-day life of each particular time and country.

Even supposing there were some spiritual advantage in celibacy, it ought to be completely voluntary.

Some men's reputation seems like seed-wheat, which thrives best when brought from a distance.