The spirit of Greece, passing through and ascending above the world, hath so animated universal nature, that the very rocks and woods, the very torrents and wilds burst forth with it.

Whatever is worthy to be loved for anything is worthy of preservation. A wise and dispassionate legislator, if any such should ever arise among men, will not condemn to death him who has done or is likely to do more service than injury to society. Blocks and gibbets are the nearest objects with legislators, and their business is never with hopes or with virtues.

We are poor, indeed, when we have no half-wishes left us. The heart and the imagination close the shutters the instant they are gone.

The foundation of domestic happiness is faith in the virtue of woman.

Death stands above me, whispering low I know not what into my ear; Of his strange language all I know Is, there is not a word of fear.

A mercantile democracy may govern long and widely; a mercantile aristocracy cannot stand.

Nations, like individuals, interest us in their growth.