Humour is the only test of gravity, and gravity of humour, for a subject which will not bear raillery is suspicious, and a jest which will not bear serious examination is false wit.
Youth is easily deceived because it is quick to hope.
There was never a genius without a tincture of madness.
The beauty of the soul shines out when a man bears with composure one heavy mischance after another, not because he does not feel them, but because he is a man of high and heroic temper.
To write well, express yourself like the common people, but think like a wise man.
All men by nature desire to know.