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

True contentment depends not upon what we have; a tub was large enough for Diogenes, but a world was too little for Alexander.

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

Sensibility would be a good portress if she had but one hand; with her right she opens the door to pleasure, but with her left to pain.

Shrewd and crafty politicians, when they wish to bring about an unpopular measure, must not go straight forward to work, if they do they will certainly fail; and failures to men in power, are like defeats to a general, they shake their popularity. Therefore, since they cannot sail in the teeth of the wind, they must tack, and ultimately gain their object, by appearing at times to be departing from it.

Posthumous charities are the very essence of selfishness when bequeathed by those who, even alive, would part with nothing.

Hope is a prodigal young heir, and experience is his banker.