If the prodigal quits life in debt to others, the miser quits it still deeper in debt to himself.

Human foresight often leaves its proudest possessor only a choice of evils.

Villains are usually the worst casuists, and rush into crimes to avoid less. Henry VIII. committed murder to avoid the imputation of adultery; and in our times, those who commit the latter crime attempt to wash off the stain of seducing the wife by signifying their readiness to shoot the husband.

The two most precious things this side of the grave are our reputation and our life. But it is to be lamented that the most contemptible whisper may deprive us of the one, and the weakest weapon of the other.

The victim to too severe a law is considered as a martyr rather than a criminal.

What would you do if you knew for sure that no one would ever find out?

When we feel a strong desire to thrust our advice upon others, it is usually because we suspect their weakness; but we ought rather to suspect our own.