Greatness, as we daily see it, is unsociable.

Every sect is a moral check on its neighbour. Competition is as wholesome in religion as in commerce.

Do not expect to be acknowledged for what you are, much less for what you would be; since no one can well measure a great man but upon the bier.

The religion of Christ is peace and good-will,--the religion of Christendom is war and ill-will.

Truth is a point, the subtlest and finest; harder than adamant; never to be broken, worn away, or blunted. Its only bad quality is, that it is sure to hurt those who touch it; and likely to draw blood, perhaps the life blood, of those who press earnestly upon it.

Kings play at war unfairly with republics; they can only lose some earth, and some creatures they value as little, while republics lose in every soldier a part of themselves.

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