A man may be cheerful and contented in celibacy, but I do not think he can ever be happy; it is an unnatural state, and the best feelings of his nature are never called into action.

Let us depart! the universal sun Confines not to one land his blessed beams; Nor is man rooted, like a tree, whose seed, the winds on some ungenial soil have cast there, where it cannot prosper.

By writing much, one learns to write well.

Mild arch of promise! on the evening sky Thou shinest fair with many a lovely ray, Each in the other melting.

As sure as God is good, so surely there is no such thing as necessary evil.

There was a time when I believed in the persuadability of man, and had the mania of man-mending. Experience has taught me better. The ablest physician can do little in the great lazar-house of society. He acts the wisest part who retires from the contagion.

That charity is bad which takes from independence its proper pride, from mendicity its salutary shame.