[T]he more public provisions were made for the poor, the less they provided for themselves, and of course became poorer . . . [taking] away from before their eyes the greatest of all inducements to industry, frugality, and sobriety, by giving them a dependence of somewhat else than a careful accumulation during youth and health for support in age and sickness.

Our Constitution is in actual operation; everything appears to promise that it will last; but in this world nothing is certain but death and taxes.

I have sometimes almost wished it had been my destiny to be born two or three centuries hence.

Moderation in all things - including moderation.

After getting the first hundred pounds, it is more easy to get the second.

From a child I was fond of reading, and all the little money that came into my hands was ever laid out in books.

Marry your son when you will, but you daughter when you can.