Shakespeare, Butler and Bacon have rendered it extremely difficult for all who come after them to be sublime, witty or profound.

If all seconds were as averse to duels as their principals, very little blood would be shed in that way.

There are some who affect a want of affectation, and flatter themselves that they are above flattery; they are proud of being thought extremely humble, and would go round the world to punish those who thought them capable of revenge; they are so satisfied of the suavity of their own temper that they would quarrel with their dearest benefactor only for doubting it.

With books, as with companions, it is of more consequence to know which to avoid, than which to choose; for good books are as scarce as good companions...

The wealth is ultimately just a relative thing. As a person with little money and little more needs to rich guys money but really wishes

Riches may enable us to confer favors, but to confer them with propriety and grace requires a something that riches cannot give.

The science of legislation is like that of medicine in one respect: that it is far more easy to point out what will do harm than what will do good.