When the mind loses its feeling for elegance, it grows corrupt and groveling, and seeks in the crowd what ought to be found at home.

He who brings ridicule to bear against truth finds in his hand a blade without a hilt.

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

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

I sometimes think that the most plaintive ditty has brought a fuller joy and of longer duration to its composer that the conquest of Persia to the Macedonian.

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.

Principles do not mainly influence even the principled; we talk on principle, but we act on interest.