As civilization advances, poetry almost necessarily declines.

The opinion of the great body of the reading public is very materially influenced even by the unsupported assertions of those who assume a right to criticize.

I wish I was as sure of anything as he is of everything.

In every age the vilest specimens of human nature are to be found among demagogues.

We must succumb to the general influence of the times. No man can be of the tenth century, if he would; be must be a man of the nineteenth century.

That wonderful book, while it obtains admiration from the most fastidious critics, is loved by those who are too simple to admire it.

As freedom is the only safeguard of governments, so are order and moderation generally necessary to preserve freedom.