A thing is not vulgar merely because it is common.

The characteristic of Chaucer is intensity: of Spencer, remoteness: of Milton elevation and of Shakespeare everything.

To think ill of mankind and not wish ill to them, is perhaps the highest wisdom and virtue.

The chain of habit coils itself around the heart like a serpent, to gnaw and stifle it.

None but those who are happy in themselves can make others so.

Confidence gives a fool the advantage over a wise man.

Mankind are an incorrigible race. Give them but bugbears and idols -- it is all that they ask; the distinctions of right and wrong, of truth and falsehood, of good and evil, are worse than indifferent to them.