History distinguishes what is accidental and transitory in human nature from what is essential and immutable.

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

There were gentlemen and there were seamen in the navy of Charles the Second. But the seamen were not gentlemen; and the gentlemen were not seamen.

I have seen the hippopotamus, both asleep and awake; and I can assure you that, awake or asleep, he is the ugliest of the works of God.

I shall cheerfully bear the reproach of having descended below the dignity of history.

At present, the novels which we owe to English ladies form no small part of the literary glory of our country. No class of works is more honorably distinguished for fine observation, by grace, by delicate wit, by pure moral feeling.

Ye diners out from whom we guard our spoons.