Highest among those who have exhibited human nature by means of dialogue stands Shakespeare. His variety is like the variety of nature,--endless diversity, scarcely any monstrosity.

In truth it may be laid down as an almost universal rule that good poets are bad critics.

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.

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

We cannot absolutely prove that those are in error who tell us that society has reached a turning point, that we have seen our best days. But so said all before us, and with just as much apparent reason.

Power, safely defied, touches its downfall.

We must judge a government by its general tendencies and not by its happy accidents.