Wonder at the first sight of works of art may be the effect of ignorance and novelty; but real admiration and permanent delight in them are the growth of taste and knowledge.

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

Habit is necessary to give power.

Genius only leaves behind it the monuments of its strength.

Nothing gives such a blow to friendship as the detecting another in an untruth. It strikes at the root of our confidence ever after.

The love of fame is almost another name for the love of excellence; or it is the ambition to attain the highest excellence, sanctioned by the highest authority, that of time.

The incentive to ambition is the love of power.