At present, the novels which we owe to English ladies form no small part of the literary glory of our country. No class of works is more honorably distinguished for fine observation, by grace, by delicate wit, by pure moral feeling.
Our estimate of a character always depends much on the manner in which that character affects our own interests and passions.
Even Holland and Spain have been positively, though not relatively, advancing.
War is never lenient but where it is wanton; where men are compelled to fight in self-defence, they must hate and avenge. This may be bad, but it is human nature; it is the clay as it came from the hands of the Potter.
We do not think it necessary to prove that a quack medicine is poison; let the vender prove it to be sanative.
The Saviour of mankind Himself, in whose blameless life malice could find no act to impeach, has been called in question for words spoken.
In truth it may be laid down as an almost universal rule that good poets are bad critics.
The opinion of the great body of the reading public is very materially influenced even by the unsupported assertions of those who assume a right to criticize.
Sense can support herself handsomely in most countries on some eighteen pence a day; but for fantasy, planets and solar systems, will not suffice.
The desire of posthumous fame and the dread of posthumous reproach and execration are feelings from the influence of which scarcely any man is perfectly free, and which in many men are powerful and constant motives of action.
Thus our democracy was from an early period the most aristocratic, and our aristocracy the most democratic.
The end of government is the happiness of the people.
The great cause of revolutions is this, that while nations move onward, constitutions stand still.
Nobles by the right of an earlier creation, and priests by the imposition of a mightier hand.
Logicians may reason about abstractions. But the great mass of men must have images. The strong tendency of the multitude in all ages and nations to idolatry can be explained on no other principle.
Half-knowledge is worse than ignorance.
Reform, that we may preserve.
Turn where we may, within, around, the voice of great events is proclaiming to us, Reform, that you may preserve!
Perhaps no person can be a poet, or can even enjoy poetry, without a certain unsoundness of mind.
The highest eulogy which can be pronounced on the Revolution of 1688 is this that this was our last Revolution.