212 Quotes by Thomas Babington Macaulay

The highest intellects, like the tops of mountains, are the first to catch and to reflect the dawn.

Even the law of gravitation would be brought into dispute were there a pecuniary interest involved.

The temple of silence and reconciliation.

The good-humor of a man elated with success often displays itself towards enemies.

What proposition is there respecting human nature which is absolutely and universally true? We know of only one, – and that is not only true, but identical, – that men always act from self-interest.

Mere negation, mere Epicurean infidelity, as Lord Bacon most justly observes, has never disturbed the peace of the world. It furnishes no motive for action; it inspires no enthusiasm; it has no missionaries, no crusades, no martyrs.

Only imagine a man acting for one single day on the supposition that all his neighbors believe all that they profess, and act up to all that they believe!

Language is the machine of the poet.

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.