Men naturally sympathize with the calamities of individuals; but they are inclined to look on a fallen party with contempt rather than with pity.

The effective strength of sects is not to be ascertained merely by counting heads.

The effect of violent dislike between groups has always created an indifference to the welfare and honor of the state.

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

Men are never so likely to settle a question rightly as when they discuss it freely.

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.

The upper current of society presents no pertain criterion by which we can judge of the direction in which the under current flows.