It is with nations as with individuals, those who know the least of others think the highest of themselves; for the whole family of pride and ignorance are incestuous, and mutually beget each other.

There are three modes of bearing the ills of life; by indifference, which is the most common; by philosophy, which is the most ostentatious; and by religion, which is the most effectual.

If a book really wants the patronage of a great name, it is a bad book; and if it be a good book, it wants it not.

With books, as with companions, it is of more consequence to know which to avoid, than which to choose; for good books are as scarce as good companions...

That writer does the most who gives his reader the most knowledge and takes from him the least time.

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 sympathizes in all the happiness of others, perhaps himself enjoys the safest happiness.