True greatness consists in the use of a powerful understanding to enlighten oneself and others.

Feeble verses are those which sin not against rules, but against genius.

One merit of poetry few persons will deny: it says more and in fewer words than prose.

What is called happiness is an abstract idea, composed of various ideas of pleasure; for he who has but a moment of pleasure is not a happy man, in like manner that a moment of grief constitutes not a miserable one.

Let us read, and let us dance — these two amusements will never do any harm to the world.

The passions are the winds which fill the sails of the vessel; they sink it at times, but without them it would be impossible to make way.

He who dies before many witnesses always does so with courage.