Credit means that a certain confidence is given, and a certain trust reposed. Is that trust justified? And is that confidence wise? These are the cardinal questions. To put it more simply credit is a set of promises to pay; will those promises be kept?

Nothing is more unpleasant than a virtuous person with a mean mind.

Great and terrible systems of divinity and philosophy lie round about us, which, if true, might drive a wise man mad.

A slight daily unconscious luxury is hardly ever wanting to the dwellers in civilization; like the gentle air of a genial climate, it is a perpetual minute enjoyment.

A democratic despotism is like a theocracy: it assumes its own correctness.

Every banker knows that if he has to prove that he is worthy of credit, however good may be his arguments, in fact his credit is gone: but what we have requires no proof.

The reason why so few good books are written is that so few people who can write know anything.