It is easy to look down on others; to look down on ourselves is the difficulty.

Immoderate power, like other intemperance, leaves the progeny weaker and weaker, until nature as in compassion covers it with her mantle and it is seen no more.

We listen to those whom we know to be of the same opinion as ourselves, and we call them wise for being of it; but we avoid such as differ from us.

The deafest man can hear praise, and is slow to think any an excess.

I never did a single wise thing in the whole course of my existence, although I have written many which have been thought so.

The wise become as the unwise in the enchanted chambers of Power, whose lamps make every face the same colour.

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