Vast objects of remote altitude must be looked at a long while before they are ascertained. Ages are the telescope tubes that must be lengthened out for Shakespeare; and generations of men serve but a single witness to his claims.

We fancy we suffer from ingratitude, while in reality we suffer from self-love.

When the mind loses its feeling for elegance, it grows corrupt and groveling, and seeks in the crowd what ought to be found at home.

The most pernicious of absurdities is that weak, blind, stupid faith is better than the constant practice of every human virtue.

We cannot be contented because we are happy, and we cannot be happy because we are contented.

Cruelty is the highest pleasure to the cruel man; it is his love.

The foundation of domestic happiness is faith in the virtue of woman.