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

He who brings ridicule to bear against truth finds in his hand a blade without a hilt. The most sparkling and pointed flame of wit flickers and expires against the incombustible walls of her sanctuary.

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

There is delight in singing, though none hear beside the singer.

We must distinguish between felicity and prosperity; for prosperity leads often to ambition, and ambition to disappointment; the course is then over, the wheel turns round but once, while the reaction of goodness and happiness is perpetual.

No ashes are lighter than those of incense, and few things burn out sooner.

It appears to be among the laws of nature, that the mighty of intellect should be pursued and carped by the little, as the solitary flight of one great bird is followed by the twittering petulance of many smaller.