This gave me occasion to observe, that when Men are employ'd they are best contented. For on the Days they work'd they were good-natur'd and chearful; and with the consciousness of having done a good Days work they spent the Evenings jollily; but on the idle Days they were mutinous and quarrelsome, finding fault with their Pork, the Bread, and in continual ill-humour. (Autobiography, 1771)

Wise men don't need advice. Fools won't take it.

There are many roads to success, but only one sure road to failure; and that is to try to please everyone else.

It is very hard to dislike someone you have helped

Men's minds do not die with their bodies but are made more happy or miserable after this life according to their actions.

Success is the residue of planning.

We hear of the conversion of water into wine at the marriage in Cana as of a miracle. But this conversion is, through the goodness of God, made every day before our eyes. Behold the rain which descends from heaven upon our vineyards, and which incorporates itself with the grapes, to be changed into wine; a constant proof that God loves us, and loves to see us happy.