If you have to prove you are worthy of credit, your credit is already gone.

The great pleasure of life is doing for pleasure things I do not like to do.

The whole history of civilization is strewn with creeds and institutions which were invaluable at first, and deadly afterwards

A constitutional statesman is in general a man of common opinions and uncommon abilities.

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.

The greatest mistake is trying to be more agreeable than you can be.

Persecution in intellectual countries produces a superficial conformity, but also underneath an intense, incessant, implacable doubt.