A family on the throne is an interesting idea. It brings down the pride of sovereignty to the level of petty life.

The most melancholy of human reflections, perhaps, is that, on the whole, it is a question whether the benevolence of mankind does most good or harm.

A schoolmaster should have an atmosphere of awe, and walk wonderingly, as if he was amazed at being himself.

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

The most essential mental quality for a free people, whose liberty is to be progressive, permanent and on a large scale, is much stupidity.

In the faculty of writing nonsense, stupidity is no match for genius.

An element of exaggeration clings to the popular judgment: great vices are made greater, great virtues greater also; interesting incidents are made more interesting, softer legends more soft.