It has been shrewdly said, that when, men abuse us we should suspect ourselves, and when they praise us, them. It is a rare instance of virtue to despise which censure which we do not deserve; and still more rare to despise praise which we do.

Bed is a bundle of paradoxes: we go to it with reluctance, yet we quit it with regret.

When I meet with any persons who write obscurely or converse confusedly, I am apt to suspect two things; first, that such persons do not understand themselves; and secondly, that they are not worthy of being understood by others.

He that has energy enough to root out a vice should go further, and try to plant a virtue in its place.

Knavery is supple, and can bend, but honesty is firm and upright and yields not.

It is seldom that statesmen have the option of choosing between a good and an evil.

If a book really wants the patronage of a great name, it is a bad book; and if it be a good book, it wants it not.