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."

To write a genuine familiar or truly English style is to write as anyone would speak in common conversation, who had a thorough command and choice of words, or who could discourse with ease, force, and perspicuity, setting aside all pedantic and oratorical flourishes.

It is the vice of scholars to suppose that there is no knowledge in the world but that of books.

We must be doing something to be happy.

A thought must tell at once, or not at all.

Those who have the largest hearts have the soundest understandings; and they are the truest philosophers who can forget themselves.

There is no one thoroughly despicable. We cannot descend much lower than an idiot; and an idiot has some advantages over a wise man.