Of all the marvelous works of God, perhaps the one angels view with the most supreme astonishment, is a proud man.

It is always safe to learn, even from our enemies; seldom safe to venture to instruct, even our friends.

Alas! What is man? Whether he be deprived of that light which is from on high, of whether he discard it, a frail and trembling creature; standing on time, that bleak and narrow isthmus between two eternities, he sees nothing but impenetrable darkness on the one hand, and doubt, distrust, and conjecture, still more perplexing, on the other. Most gladly would he take an observation, as to whence he has come, or whither he is going; alas, he has not the means: his telescope is too dim, his compass too wavering, his plummet too short.

Pride differs in many things from vanity, and by gradations that never blend, although they may be somewhat indistinguishable. Pride may perhaps be termed a too high opinion of ourselves founded on the overrating of certain qualities that we do actually possess; whereas vanity is more easily satisfied, and can extract a feeling of self-complacency from qualifications that are imaginary.

There are two modes of establishing our reputation; to be praised by honest men, and to be abused by rogues.

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

Of all the faculties of the mind, memory is the first that flourishes, and the first that dies.