There are some who affect a want of affectation, and flatter themselves that they are above flattery; they are proud of being thought extremely humble, and would go round the world to punish those who thought them capable of revenge; they are so satisfied of the suavity of their own temper that they would quarrel with their dearest benefactor only for doubting it.

Falsehood is often rocked by truth, but she soon outgrows her cradle and discards her nurse.

We may anticipate bliss, but who ever drank of that enchanted cup unalloved?

The man of pleasure, by a vain attempt to be more happy than any man can be, is often more miserable than most men are.

It is an easy and vulgar thing to please the mob, and no very arduous task to astonish them.

How strange it is that we of the present day are constantly praising that past age which our fathers abused, and as constantly abusing that present age, which our children will praise.

To admit that there is any such thing as chance, in the common acceptation of the term, would be to attempt to establish a power independent of God.