The gloomy and the resentful are always found among those who have nothing to do or who do nothing.

The parallel circumstances and kindred images to which we readily conform our minds are, above all other writings, to be found in the lives of particular persons, and therefore no species of writing seems more worthy of cultivation than biography.

Poetry cannot be translated; and, therefore, it is the poets that preserve the languages; for we would not be at the trouble to learn a language if we could have all that is written in it just as well in a translation. But as the beauties of poetry cannot be preserved in any language except that in which it was originally written, we learn the language.

I know not any crime so great that a man could contrive to commit as poisoning the sources of eternal truth.

There are few ways in which a man can be more innocently employed than in getting money.

Mutual cowardice keeps us in peace.

Fine clothes are good only as they supply the want of other means of procuring respect.