Justice and truth are two such subtle points, that our tools are too blunt to touch them accurately.

One-half of the ills of life come because men are unwilling to sit down quietly for thirty minutes to think through all the possible consequences of their acts.

Cold words freeze people, and hot words scorch them, and bitter words make them bitter, and wrathful words make them wrathful. Kind words also produce their own image on men's souls; and a beautiful image it is. They smooth, and quiet, and comfort the hearer.

All man's troubles come from not knowing how to sit still in one room.

If we regulate our conduct according to our own convictions, we may safely disregard the praise or censure of others.

We only consult the ear because the heart is wanting.

The only thing which consoles for our miseries is diversion, and yet this is the greatest of our miseries. For it is this which principally hinders us from reflecting upon ourselves and which makes us imperceptibly ruin ourselves.