The greatest genius is never so great as when it is chastised and subdued by the highest reason.

It is curious that we pay statesmen for what they say, not for what they do; and judge of them from what they do, not from what they say. Hence they have one code of maxims for profession and another for practice, and make up their consciences as the Neapolitans do their beds, with one set of furniture for show and another for use.

Flattery is often a traffic of mutual meanness, where although both parties intend deception, neither are deceived.

No one knows where he who invented the plow was born, nor where he died; yet he has done more for humanity than the whole race of heroes who have drenched the earth with blood and whose deeds have been handed down with a precision proportionate only to the mischief they wrought.

The acquirements of science may be termed the armour of the mind; but that armour would be worse than useless, that cost us all we had, and left us nothing to defend.

Make no enemies; he is insignificant indeed that can do thee no harm.

There is this paradox in fear: he is most likely to inspire it in others who has none himself!