A man possessed of splendid talents, which he often abused, and of a sound judgment, the admonitions of which he often neglected; a man who succeeded only in an inferior department of his art, but who in that department succeeded pre-eminently.

He [Charles II] was utterly without ambition. He detested business, and would sooner have abdicated his crown than have undergone the trouble of really directing the administration.

Genius is subject to the same laws which regulate the production of cotton and molasses.

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

The reluctant obedience of distant provinces generally costs more than it - The Territory is worth. Empires which branch out widely are often more flourishing for a little timely pruning.

Great minds do indeed react on the society which has made them what they are; but they only pay with interest what they have received.

A single breaker may recede; but the tide is evidently coming in.