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.

There are three kinds of praise, that which we yield, that which we lend, and that which we pay. We yield it to the powerful from fear, we lend it to the weak from interest, and we pay it to the deserving from gratitude.

Villainy that is vigilant will be an overmatch for virtue, if she slumber at her post.

Total freedom from error is what none of us will allow to our neighbors; however we may be inclined to flirt a little with such spotless perfection ourselves.

Some read to think, these are rare; some to write, these are common; and some read to talk, and these form the great majority.

Faults of the head are punished in this world, those of the heart in another; but as most of our vices are compound, so also is their punishment.

Of all the marvelous works of God, perhaps the one angels view with the most supreme astonishment, is a proud man.