If goodness were only a theory, it were a pity it should be lost to the world. There are a number of things, the idea of which is a clear gain to the mind. Let people, for instance, rail at friendship, genius, freedom, as long as they will -the very names of these despised qualities are better than anything else that could be substituted for them, and embalm even the most envenomed satire against them.

Grace in women has more effect than beauty.

To be wiser than other men is to be honester than they; and strength of mind is only courage to see and speak the truth.

We are governed by sympathy; and the extent of our sympathy is determined by that of our sensibility

Books are a world in themselves, it is true; but they are not the only world. The world itself is a volume larger than all the libraries in it.

Without life there can be no action — no objects of pursuit — no restless desires — no tormenting passions. Hence it is that we fondly cling to it — that we dread its termination as the close, not of enjoyment, but of hope.

Knowledge is pleasure as well as power.