Grant graciously what you cannot refuse safely and conciliate those you cannot conquer.

If merited, no courage can stand against its just indignation.

We know the effects of many things, but the cause of few; experience, therefore, is a surer guide than imagination, and inquiry than conjecture.

Accustom yourself to submit on all and every occasion, and on the most minute, no less than on the most important circumstances of life, to a small present evil, to obtain a greater distant good. This will give decision, tone, and energy to the mind, which, thus disciplined, will often reap victory from defeat and honor from repulse.

Dreams ought to produce no conviction whatever on philosophical minds. If we consider how many dreams are dreamt every night, and how many events occur every day, we shall no longer wonder at those accidental coincidences which ignorance mistakes for verifications.

Where we cannot invent, we may at least improve.

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.