Almost every sect of Christianity is a perversion of its essence, to accommodate it to the prejudices of the world.

Comedy naturally wears itself out-destroys the very food on which it lives; and by constantly and successfully exposing the follies and weaknesses of mankind to ridicule, in the end leaves itself nothing worth laughing at.

Conceit is vanity driven from all other shifts, and forced to appeal to itself for admiration.

A man who is determined never to move out of the beaten road cannot lose his way.

To be capable of steady friendship or lasting love, are the two greatest proofs, not only of goodness of heart, but of strength of mind.

A person who talks with equal vivacity on every subject, excites no interest in any. Repose is as necessary in conversation as in a picture.

Our repugnance to death increases in proportion to our consciousness of having lived in vain.

There was a time when we were not: this gives us no concern-why then should it trouble us that a time will come when we shall cease to be?

We dread life's termination as the close, not of enjoyment, but of hope.

A strong passion for any object will ensure success, for the desire of the end will point out the means.