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

Faith and works are necessary to our spiritual life as Christians, as soul and body are to our natural life as men; for faith is the soul of religion, and works the body.

Never join with your friend when he abuses his horse or his wife, unless the one is about to be sold, the other to be buried.

Gross and vulgar minds will always pay a higher respect to wealth than to talent; for wealth, although it be a far less efficient source of power than talent, happens to be far more intelligible.

Philosophy is a goddess, whose head indeed is in heaven, but whose feet are upon earth; she attempts more than she accomplishes, and promises more than she performs.

Immitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

Custom looks to things that are past, and fashion to things that are present, but both of them are somewhat purblind as to things that are to come.