"In morality, I prefer Confucius to the ten Commandments and Socrates to St. Paul."

"I hate things all fiction… there should always be some foundation of fact for the most airy fabric and pure invention is but the talent of a liar."

"Wordsworth – stupendous genius! Damned fool! These poets run about their ponds though they cannot fish."

"I have a great admiration for Napoleon, and I believe he was the greatest man that ever lived."

"The 'good old times' – all times when old are good."