That anyone who possesses power has a tendency to abuse it is an eternal truth. They tend to go as far as the barriers will allow.

The spirit of commerce... renders every man willing to live on his own property...& prevents the growth of luxury.

Love of reading enables a man to exchange the weary hours, which come to every one, for hours of delight.

Success in the majority of circumstances depends on knowing how long it takes to succeed.

What cowardice it is to be dismayed by the happiness of others and devastated by there good fortune.

The spirit of commerce is frugality, economy, moderation, labor, ponderance, tranquillity, order, and rule. So long as this spirit subsides, the riches it produces have no bad effect. The mischief is when excessive wealth destroys the spirit of commerce, then it is that the conveniences of inequality... are felt.

Raillery is a mode of speaking in favor of one's wit at the expense of one's better nature.