The breast of a good man is a little heaven commencing on earth; where the Deity sits enthroned with unrivaled influence, every subjugated passion, "like the wind and storm, fulfilling his word.

The most zealous converters are always the most rancorous when they fail of producing conversion.

Some read to think, these are rare; some to write, these are common; and some read to talk, and these form the great majority.

Men will wrangle for religion, write for it, fight for it, die for it; anything but live for it.

We are more inclined to hate one another for points on which we differ, than to love one another for points on which we agree. The reason perhaps is this: when we find others that agree with us, we seldom trouble ourselves to confirm that agreement; but when we chance on those who differ from us, we are zealous both to convince and to convert them. Our pride is hurt by the failure, and disappointed pride engenders hatred.

The awkwardness and embarrassment which all feel on beginning to write, when they themselves are the theme, ought to serve as a hint to author's that self is a subject they ought very rarely to descant upon.

Flattery is often a traffic of mutual meanness, where although both parties intend deception, neither are deceived.