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

It is easier taking the beaten path than making our way over bogs and precipices. The great difficulty in philosophy is to come to every question with a mind fresh and unshackled by former theories, though strengthened by exercise and information.

The more you do, the more you can do.

Genius only leaves behind it the monuments of its strength.

Great thoughts reduced to practice become great acts.

Our opinions are not our own, but in the power of sympathy. If a person tells us a palpable falsehood, we not only dare not contradict him, but we dare hardly disbelieve him to his face. A lie boldly uttered has the effect of truth for the instant.

There are many who talk on from ignorance rather than from knowledge, and who find the former an inexhaustible fund of conversation.