The insolence of the vulgar is in proportion to their ignorance. They treat everything with contempt which they do not understand.

There is no prejudice so strong as that which arises from a fancied exemption from all prejudice.

Man is a make-believe animal: he is never so truly himself as when he is acting a part.

The definition of genius is that it acts unconsciously, and those who have produced immortal works have done so without knowing how or why.

Like a rustic at a fair, we are full of amazement and rapture, and have no thought of going home, or that it will soon be night.

There is some virtue in almost every vice, except hypocrisy; and even that, while it is a mockery of virtue, is at the same time a compliment to it.

There are few things in which we deceive ourselves more than in the esteem we profess to entertain for our firends. It is little better than a piece of quackery. The truth is, we think of them as we please, that is, as they please or displease us.