The French have a saying that whatever excellence a man may exhibit in a public station he is very apt to be ridiculous in a private one.

A leveller has long ago been set down as a ridiculous and chimerical being, who, if he could finish his work to-day, would have to begin it again tomorrow.

It has been said that men carry on a kind of coasting trade with religion. In the voyage of life, they profess to be in search of heaven, but take care not to venture so far in their approximations to it, as entirely to lose sight of the earth; and should their frail vessel be in danger of shipwreck, they will gladly throw their darling vices overboard, as other mariners their treasures, only to fish them up again when the storm is over.

Our very best friends have a tincture of jealousy even in their friendship; and when they hear us praised by others, will ascribe it to sinister and interested motives if they can.

The masses procure their opinions ready made in open market.

Criticism is like champagne, nothing more execrable if bad, nothing more excellent if good.

Most of our misfortunes are more supportable than the comments of our friends upon them.