Talent is the capacity of doing anything that depends on application and industry and it is a voluntary power, while genius is involuntary.

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

Reflection makes men cowards.

A felon could plead "benefit of clergy" and be saved by [reading aloud] what was aptly enough termed the "neck verse", which was very usually the Miserere mei of Psalm 51.

The art of pleasing consists in being pleased.

Perhaps propriety is as near a word as any to denote the manners of the gentleman; elegance is necessary to the fine gentleman; dignity is proper to noblemen; and majesty to kings.

The garb of religion is the best cloak for power.