All schools of philosophy, and almost all authors, are rather to be frequented for exercise than for weight.

O Music! how it grieves me that imprudence, intemperance, gluttony, should open their channels into thy sacred stream.

Fame often rests at first upon something accidental, and often, too, is swept away, or for a time removed; but neither genius nor glory, is conferred at once, nor do they glimmer and fall, like drops in a grotto, at a shout.

No thoroughly occupied person was ever found really miserable.

When a cat flatters ... he is not insincere: you may safely take it for real kindness.

Truth sometimes corner unawares upon Caution, and sometimes speaks in public as unconsciously as in a dream.

Let me take up your metaphor. Friendship is a vase, which, when it is flawed by heat or violence or accident, may as well be broken at once; it can never be trusted after. The more graceful and ornamental it was, the more clearly do we discern the hopelessness of restoring it to its former state. Coarse stones, if they are fractured, may be cemented again; precious stones, never.