We do not judge men by what they are in themselves, but by what they are relatively to us.

My sole defense against the natural horror which death inspires is to love beyond it.

There are words which are worth as much as the best actions, for they contain the germ of them all.

Men do not go out to meet misfortune as we do. They learn it; and we--we divine it.

As we advance in life the circle of our pains enlarges, while that of our pleasures contracts.

There are minds constructed like the eyes of certain insects, which discern, with admirable distinctness, the most delicate lineaments and finest veins of the leaf which bears them, but are totally unable to take in the ensemble of the plant or shrub. When error has effected an entrance into such minds, it remains there impregnable, because no general view assists them in throwing off the chance impression of the moment.

Liberty must be a mighty thing; for by it God punishes and rewards nations.