Solitude is the audience-chamber of God.

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

The moderate are not usually the most sincere, for the same circumspection which makes them moderate makes them likewise retentive of what could give offence.

A critic is never too severe when he only detects the faults of an author. But he is worse than too severe when, in consequence of this detection, be presumes to place himself on a level with genius.

What is reading but silent conversation?

There are proud men of so much delicacy that it almost conceals their pride, and perfectly excuses it.

We cannot conquer fate and necessity, yet we can yield to them in such a manner as to be greater than if we could.