The imagination is of so delicate a texture that even words wound it.

The present is an age of talkers, and not of doers; and the reason is, that the world is growing old. We are so far advanced in the Arts and Sciences, that we live in retrospect, and dote on past achievement.

There is a heroism in crime as well as in virtue. Vice and infamy have their altars and their religion.

The temple of fame stands upon the grave: the flame that burns upon its altars is kindled from the ashes of great men.

A proud man is satisfied with his own good opinion, and does not seek to make converts to it.

An orator can hardly get beyond commonplaces: if he does he gets beyond his hearers.

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