Times of great calamity and confusion have been productive for the greatest minds. The purest ore is produced from the hottest furnace. The brightest thunder-bolt is elicited from the darkest storm.
Suicide sometimes proceeds from cowardice, but not always; for cowardice sometimes prevents it; since as many live because they are afraid to die, as die because they are afraid to live
Our admiration of fine writing will always be in proportion to its real difficulty and its apparent ease.
If you would be known, and not know, vegetate in a village; if you would know, and not be known, live in a city.
Power will intoxicate the best hearts, as wine the strongest heads. No man is wise enough, nor good enough to be trusted with unlimited power.
Tyrants have not yet discovered any chains that can fetter the mind.
