The present, like a note in music, is nothing but as it appertains to what is past and what is to come.

Of all failures, to fail in a witticism is the worst, and the mishap is the more calamitous in a drawn-out and detailed one

Everything that looks to the future elevates human nature.

Many love music but for music's sake, Many because her touches can awake Thoughts that repose within the breast half-dead, And rise to follow where she loves to lead. What various feelings come from days gone by! What tears from far-off sources dim the eye! Few, when light fingers with sweet voices play, And melodies swell, pause, and melt away, Mind how at every touch, at every tone, A spark of life hath glistened and hath gone.

Ridicule has followed the vestiges of truth, but never usurped her place.

Those who speak against the great do not usually speak from morality, but from envy.

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