The inheritance of a distinguished and noble name is a proud inheritance to him who lives worthily of it.

Philosophers have widely differed as to the seat of the soul, and St. Paul has told us that out of the heart proceed murmurings; but there can be no doubt that the seat of perfect contentment is in the head, for every individual is thoroughly satisfied with his own proportion of brains.

The three great apostles of practical atheism, that make converts without persecuting, and retain them without preaching, are wealth, health and power.

To dare to live alone is the rarest courage; since there are many who had rather meet their bitterest enemy in the field, than their own hearts in their closet.

Subtract from many modern poets all that may be found in Shakespeare, and trash will remain.

There are some who affect a want of affectation, and flatter themselves that they are above flattery; they are proud of being thought extremely humble, and would go round the world to punish those who thought them capable of revenge; they are so satisfied of the suavity of their own temper that they would quarrel with their dearest benefactor only for doubting it.

Patience is the support of weakness; impatience the ruin of strength.