You are much surer that you are doing good when you pay money to those who work, as the recompense of their labor, than when you give money merely in charity.

A country is in a bad state, which is governed only by laws; because a thousand things occur for which laws cannot provide, and where authority ought to interpose.

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.

Whoever shall review his life, will find that the whole tenor of his conduct has been determined by some accident of no apparent moment.

From thee, great God, we spring, to thee we tend,- Path, motive, guide, original, and end.

Were it not for imagination a man would be as happy in the arms of a chambermaid as of a duchess.

Power is not sufficient evidence of truth.