The praise of the envious is far less creditable than their censure; they praise only that which they can surpass, but that which surpasses them they censure.

The seat of perfect contentment is in the head; for every individual is thoroughly satisfied with his own proportion of brains.

The policy that can strike only while the iron is hot will be overcome by that perseverance, which ... can make that iron hot by striking and he that can only rule the storm must yield to him who can both raise and rule it.

We know the effects of many things, but the cause of few; experience, therefore, is a surer guide than imagination, and inquiry than conjecture.

The breast of a good man is a little heaven commencing on earth; where the Deity sits enthroned with unrivaled influence, every subjugated passion, "like the wind and storm, fulfilling his word.

The most notorious swindler has not assumed so many names as self-love, nor is so much ashamed of his own. She calls herself patriotism, when at the same time she is rejoicing at just as much calamity to her native country as will introduce herself into power, and expel her rivals.

All poets pretend to write for immortality, but the whole tribe have no objection to present pay and present praise.