Art must anchor in nature, or it is the sport of every breath of folly.

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

To be wiser than other men is to be honester than they; and strength of mind is only courage to see and speak the truth.

I do not think there is anything deserving the name of society to be found out of London.

Human life may be regarded as a succession of frontispieces. The way to be satisfied is never to look back.

Tears may be considered as the natural and involuntary resource of the mind overcome by some sudden and violent emotion, before ithas had time to reconcile its feelings to the change in circumstances: while laughter may be defined to be the same sort of convulsive and involuntary movement, occasioned by mere sur prise or contrast (in the absence of any more serious emotion), before it has time to reconcile its belief to contradictory appearances.

Good temper is an estate for life.