We often pretend to fear what we really despise, and more often despise what we really fear.

In all countries where nature does the most, man does the least.

Two things, well considered, would prevent many quarrels: first, to have it well ascertained whether we are not disputing about terms, rather than things; and, secondly, to examine whether that on which we differ is worth contending about.

All adverse and depressing influences can be overcome, not by fighting, by by rising above them.

An act by which we make one friend and one enemy is a losing game; because revenge is a much stronger principle than gratitude

He that can please nobody is not so much to be pitied as he that nobody can please.

Constant success shows us but one side of the world; adversity brings out the reverse of the picture.