A vice sanctioned by the general opinion is merely a vice. The evil terminates in itself. A vice condemned by the general opinion produces a pernicious effect on the whole character. The former is a local malady; the latter, constitutional taint. When the reputation of the offender is lost, he too often flings the remainder of his virtue after it in despair.

The maxim, that governments ought to train the people in the way in which they should go, sounds well. But is there any reason for believing that a government is more likely to lead the people in the right way than the people to fall into the right way of themselves?

The desire of posthumous fame and the dread of posthumous reproach and execration are feelings from the influence of which scarcely any man is perfectly free, and which in many men are powerful and constant motives of action.

A good constitution is infinitely better than the best despot.

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.

More sinners are cursed at not because we despise their sins but because we envy their success at sinning.

A few more years will destroy whatever yet remains of that magical potency which once belonged to the name of Byron.