That which we acquire with the most difficulty we retain the longest; as those who have earned a fortune are usually more careful of it than those who have inherited one.

If the prodigal quits life in debt to others, the miser quits it still deeper in debt to himself.

A wise minister would rather preserve peace than gain a victory, because he knows that even the most successful war leaves nations generally more poor, always more profligate, than it found them.

There is this difference between happiness and wisdom; he that thinks himself the happiest man, really is so; but he that thinks himself the wisest, is generally the greatest fool.

The French have a saying that whatever excellence a man may exhibit in a public station he is very apt to be ridiculous in a private one.

To be a mere verbal critic is what no man of genius would be if he could; but to be a critic of true taste and feeling is what no man without genius could be if he would.

In all places, and in all times, those religionists who have believed too much have been more inclined to violence and persecution than those who have believed too little.