Leave to Heaven the measure and the choice.

Greece appears to be the fountain of knowledge; Rome of elegance

Scarce any man becomes eminently disagreeable but by a departure from his real character, and an attempt at something for which nature or education has left him unqualified.

We must consider how very little history there is--I mean real, authentic history. That certain kings reigned and certain battles were fought, we can depend upon as true; but all the coloring, all the philosophy, of history is conjecture.

The resolution of the combat is seldom equal to the vehemence of the charge.

Advice is seldom welcome. Those who need it most, like it least.

The love of retirement has in all ages adhered closely to those minds which have been most enlarged by knowledge, or elevated by genius. Those who enjoyed everything generally supposed to confer happiness have been forced to seek it in the shades of privacy.