It is, in fact, another case of Ulysses alongside of the Sirens; only Roderick refuses to be tied to the mast.

He is the most extraordinary being, the strangest mixture of qualities.

I don't understand so much force going with so much weakness--such a brilliant gift being subject to such lapses.

The poor fellow is incomplete, and it is really not his own fault; Nature has given him the faculty out of hand and bidden him be hanged with it.
I never knew a man harder to advise or assist, if he is not in the mood for listening.

I suppose there is some key or other to his character, but I try in vain to find it; and yet I can't believe that Providence is so cruel as to have turned the lock and thrown the key away.