Beauty in distress is much the most affecting beauty.
Hypocrisy can afford to be magnificent in its promises, for never intending to go beyond promise, it costs nothing.
Politics and the pulpit are terms that have little agreement.
People will not look forward to posterity, who never look backward to their ancestors.
A spirit of innovation is generally the result of a selfish temper and confined views. People will not look forward to posterity, who never look backward to their ancestors.
He that wrestles with us strengthens our nerves and sharpens our skill. Our antagonist is our helper.
He that struggles with us strengthens our nerves, and sharpens our skill. Our antagonist is our helper.
It is a general popular error to suppose the loudest complainers for the public to be the most anxious for its welfare.
Applause is the spur of noble minds, the end and aim of weak ones.
He had no failings which were not owing to a noble cause; to an ardent, generous, perhaps an immoderate passion for fame; a passion which is the instinct of all great souls.
The arrogance of age must submit to be taught by youth.
When bad men combine, the good must associate; else they will fall one by one, an unpitied sacrifice in a contemptible struggle.
When the leaders choose to make themselves bidders at an auction of popularity, their talents, in the construction of the state, will be of no service. They will become flatterers instead of legislators; the instruments, not the guides, of the people.
All government, indeed every human benefit and enjoyment, every virtue, and every prudent act, is founded on compromise and barter.
Under the pressure of the cares and sorrows of our mortal condition, men have at all times, and in all countries, called in some physical aid to their moral consolations - wine, beer, opium, brandy, or tobacco.
Circumstances give in reality to every political principle its distinguishing color and discriminating effect. The circumstances are what render every civil and political scheme beneficial or noxious to mankind.
Your representative owes you, not his industry only, but his judgment; and he betrays instead of serving you if he sacrifices it to your opinion.
There is a boundary to men's passions when they act from feelings; but none when they are under the influence of imagination.
Nobility is a graceful ornament to the civil order. It is the Corinthian capital of polished society.
I venture to say no war can be long carried on against the will of the people.
