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

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

God made the rose out of what was left of woman at the creation. The great difference is, we feel the rose's thorns when we gather it; and the other's when we have had it for some time.

Authors are like cattle going to a fair: those of the same field can never move on without butting one another.

Truth is a point, the subtlest and finest; harder than adamant; never to be broken, worn away, or blunted. Its only bad quality is, that it is sure to hurt those who touch it; and likely to draw blood, perhaps the life blood, of those who press earnestly upon it.

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.

The flame of anger, bright and brief, sharpens the barb of love.