Contemporaries appreciate the person rather than their merit, posterity will regard the merit rather than the person.

Most men know what they hate, few what they love.

None are so seldom found alone, and are so soon tired of their own company, as those coxcombs who are on the best terms with themselves.

It is far more easy to acquire a fortune like a knave, than to expend it, like a gentleman.

Friendship often ends in love, but love in friendship - never.

It is better to meet danger than to wait for it. He that is on a lee shore, and foresees a hurricane, stands out to sea and encounters a storm to avoid a shipwreck.

Secrecy is the soul of all great designs. Perhaps more has been effected by concealing our own intentions than by discovering those of our enemy.