I hate false words, and seek with care, difficulty, and moroseness, those that fit the thing.

As there are some flowers which you should smell but slightly to extract all that is pleasant in them ... so there are some men with whom a slight acquaintance is quite sufficient to draw out all that is agreeable; a more intimate one would be unsafe and unsatisfactory.

Consult duty not events.

A little praise is good for a shy temper; it teaches it to rely on the kindness of others.

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.

Music is God's gift to man, the only art of Heaven given to earth, the only art of earth we take to Heaven.

No truer word, save God's, was ever spoken, Than that the largest heart is soonest broken.