Great men lose somewhat of their greatness by being near us; ordinary men gain much.

Little men build up great ones, but the snow colossus soon melts; the good stand under the eye of God, and therefore stand.

We oftener say things because we can say them well, than because they are sound and reasonable.

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

The vain poet is of the opinion that nothing of his can be too much: he sends to you basketful after basketful of juiceless fruit, covered with scentless flowers.

Fame often rests at first upon something accidental, and often, too, is swept away, or for a time removed; but neither genius nor glory, is conferred at once, nor do they glimmer and fall, like drops in a grotto, at a shout.

No good writer was ever long neglected; no great man overlooked by men equally great. Impatience is a proof of inferior strength, and a destroyer of what little there may be.