The seat of perfect contentment is in the head; for every individual is thoroughly satisfied with his own proportion of brains.

If we steal thoughts from the moderns, it will be cried down as plagiarism; if from the ancients, it will be cried up as erudition.

Silence is foolish if we are wise, but wise if we are foolish.

The young fancy that their follies are mistaken by the old for happiness. The old fancy that their gravity is mistaken by the young for wisdom.

The worst thing that can be said of the most powerful is that they can take your life; but the same can be said of the most weak.

Reform is a good replete with paradox; it is a cathartic which our political quacks, like our medical, recommend to others, but will not take themselves; it is admired by all who cannot effect it, and abused by all who can; it is thought pregnant with danger, for all time that is present, but would have been extremely profitable for that which is past, and will be highly salutary for that which is to come.

Gold is worshipped in all climates, without a single temple, and by all classes, without a single hypocrite.