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

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

Democracy is always the work of kings. Ashes, which in themselves are sterile, fertilize the land they are cast upon.

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.

Life and death appear more certainly ours than whatsoever else; and yet hardly can that be called ours, which comes without our knowledge, and goes without it.

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.

When a cat flatters ... he is not insincere: you may safely take it for real kindness.