Genius in poverty is never feared, because nature, though liberal in her gifts in one instance, is forgetful in another.

Danger is the very basis of superstition. It produces a searching after help supernaturally when human means are no longer supposed to be available.

There surely is in human nature an inherent propensity to extract all the good out of all the evil.

The safest principle through life, instead of reforming others, is to set about perfecting yourself.

Beware of the beginnings of vice. Do not delude yourself with the belief that it can be argued against in the presence of the exciting cause. Nothing but actual flight can save you.

How difficult it is to get men to believe that any other man can or does act from disinterestedness!

The great difficulty is first to win a reputation; the next to keep it while you live; and the next to preserve it after you die, when affection and interest are over, and nothing but sterling excellence can preserve your name. Never suffer youth to be an excuse for inadequacy, nor age and fame to be an excuse for indolence.