If that marvellous microcosm, man, with all the costly cargo of his faculties and powers, were indeed a rich argosy, fitted out and freighted only for shipwreck and destruction, who amongst us that tolerate the present only from the hope of the future, who that have any aspirings of a high and intellectual nature about them, could be brought to submit to the disgusting mortifications of the voyage?

True contentment depends not upon what we have; a tub was large enough for Diogenes, but a world was too little for Alexander.

Tomorrow! It is a period nowhere to be found in all the registers of time, unless, perchance, in the fool's calendar.

In all societies, it is advisable to associate if possible with the highest; not that the highest are always the best, but because, if disgusted there, we can descend at any time; but if we begin with the lowest, to ascend is impossible.

Kings and their subjects, masters and slaves, find a common level in two places - at the foot of the cross, and in the grave.

There are both dull correctness and piquant carelessness; it is needless to say which will command the most readers and have the most influence.

He that studies books alone, will know how things ought to be; and he that studies men, will know how things are.