Old age is not one of the beauties of creation, but it is one of its harmonies. The law of contrasts is one of the laws of beauty. Under the conditions of our climate, shadow gives light its worth; sternness enhances mildness; solemnity, splendor. Varying proportions of size support and subserve one another.

The chains which cramp us most are those which weigh on us least.

One must be a somebody before they can have an enemy. One must be a force before he can be resisted by another force.

There are not good things enough in life to indemnify us for the neglect of a single duty.

Those who make us happy are always thankful to us for being so; their gratitude is the reward of their benefits.

If it were ever allowable to forget what is due to superiority of rank, it would be when the privileged themselves remember it.

Poor humanity!--so dependent, so insignificant, and yet so great.