The best manner of avenging ourselves is by not resembling him who has injured us.

Dr. Johnson has said that the chief glory of a country arises from its authors. But then that is only as they are oracles of wisdom; unless they teach virtue, they are more worthy of a halter than of the laurel.

Imparting knowledge is only lighting other men's candles at our lamp without depriving ourselves of any flame.

Nobility, without virtue, is a fine setting without a gem.

Happiness is a sunbeam which may pass through a thousand bosoms without losing a particle of its original ray; nay, when it strikes on a kindred heart, like the converged light on a mirror, it reflects itself with redoubled brightness. It is not perfected till it is shared.