Those who are pleased with the fewest things know the least, as those who are pleased with everything know nothing.

The love of fame is almost another name for the love of excellence; or it is the ambition to attain the highest excellence, sanctioned by the highest authority, that of time.

The Princess Borghese, Bonaparte's sister, who was no saint, sat to Canova as a reclining Venus, and being asked if she did not feel a little uncomfortable, replied, "No. There was a fire in the room."

A King (as such) is not a great man. He has great power, but it is not his own.

Anyone is to be pitied who has just sense enough to perceive his deficiencies.

It is better to drink of deep grief than to taste shallow pleasures.

Death puts an end to rivalship and competition. The dead can boast no advantage over us, nor can we triumph over them.