Nobles by the right of an earlier creation, and priests by the imposition of a mightier hand.

Our estimate of a character always depends much on the manner in which that character affects our own interests and passions.

The hearts of men are their books; events are their tutors; great actions are their eloquence.

If ever Shakespeare rants, it is not when his imagination is hurrying him along, but when he is hurrying his imagination along.

We hold that the most wonderful and splendid proof of genius is a great poem produced in a civilized age.

Even the law of gravitation would be brought into dispute were there a pecuniary interest involved.

History begins in novel and ends in essay.