But the power of instruction is seldom of much efficacy, except in those happy dispositions where it is almost superfluous.

The end comes when we no longer talk with ourselves. It is the end of genuine thinking and the beginning of the final loneliness.

I am indeed rich, since my income is superior to my expenses, and my expense is equal to my wishes.

The winds and the waves are always on the side of the ablest navigators.

The courage of a soldier is found to be the cheapest and most common quality of human nature.

Corruption, the most infallible symptom of constitutional liberty.

Revenge is profitable, gratitude is expensive.

Beauty is an outward gift which is seldom despised, except by those to whom it has been refused.

But the power of instruction is seldom of much efficacy, except in those happy dispositions where it is almost superfluous.

The author himself is the best judge of his own performance; none has so deeply meditated on the subject; none is so sincerely interested in the event.

The style of an author should be the image of his mind, but the choice and command of language is the fruit of exercise.

Style is the image of character.

The principles of a free constitution are irrecoverably lost, when the legislative power is nominated by the executive.

My English text is chaste, and all licentious passages are left in the decent obscurity of a learned language.

Our sympathy is cold to the relation of distant misery.

The laws of probability, so true in general, so fallacious in particular.

A heart to resolve, a head to contrive, and a hand to execute.

Conversation enriches the understanding, but solitude is the school of genius.

All that is human must retrograde if it does not advance.

I never make the mistake of arguing with people for whose opinions I have no respect.

Hope, the best comfort of our imperfect condition.

History is little more than the register of the crimes, follies, and misfortunes of mankind.

The various modes of worship which prevailed in the Roman world were all considered by the people as equally true; by the philosopher as equally false; and by the magistrate as equally useful.

The pathetic almost always consists in the detail of little events.

Let us read with method, and propose to ourselves an end to which our studies may point. The use of reading is to aid us in thinking.

Our work is the presentation of our capabilities.

My early and invincible love of reading I would not exchange for all the riches of India.

Every man who rises above the common level has received two educations: the first from his teachers; the second, more personal and important, from himself.

History is indeed little more than the register of the crimes, follies, and misfortunes of mankind.

It has always been my practice to cast a long paragraph in a single mould, to try it by my ear, to deposit it in my memory, but to suspend the action of the pen till I had given the last polish to my work.

Unprovided with original learning, unformed in the habits of thinking, unskilled in the arts of composition, I resolved to write a book.

I was never less alone than when by myself.

Of the various forms of government which have prevailed in the world, an hereditary monarchy seems to present the fairest scope for ridicule.

Books are those faithful mirrors that reflect to our mind the minds of sages and heroes.

I understand by this passion the union of desire, friendship, and tenderness, which is inflamed by a single female, which prefers her to the rest of her sex, and which seeks her possession as the supreme or the sole happiness of our being.

Fanaticism obliterates the feelings of humanity.

Their poverty secured their freedom, since our desires and our possessions are the strongest fetters of despotism.

We improve ourselves by victories over ourselves. There must be contest, and we must win.

Agriculture is the foundation of manufactures, since the productions of nature are the materials of art.

The inactivity of a conqueror betrays the loss of strength and blood.

Conversation enriches the understanding but solitude is the school of genius.

Corruption the most infallible symptom of constitutional liberty.

History is indeed little more than the register of the crimes follies and misfortunes of mankind.

The first of earthly blessings, independence.

The winds and waves are always on the side of the ablest navigators.

In every deed of mischief he had a heart to resolve, a head to contrive, and a hand to execute.

The frequent repetition of miracles serves to provoke, where it does not subdue, the reason of mankind.

A state of skepticism and suspense may amuse a few inquisitive minds. But the practice of superstition is so congenial to the multitude that, if they are forcibly awakened, they still regret the loss of their pleasing vision.

The essential elements of giving are power and love - activity and affection - and the consciousness of the race testifies that in the high and appropriate exercise of these is a blessedness greater than any other.