The consequences of things are not always proportionate to the apparent magnitude of those events that have produced them. Thus the American Revolution, from which little was expected, produced much; but the French Revolution, from which much was expected, produced little.

Success seems to be that which forms the distinction between confidence and conceit.

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.

Avarice begets more vices than Priam did children and like Priam survives them all. It starves its keeper to surfeit those who wish him dead, and makes him submit to more mortifications to lose heaven than the martyr undergoes to gain it.

He that sympathizes in all the happiness of others, perhaps himself enjoys the safest happiness.

The worst thing that can be said of the most powerful is that they can take your life; but the same can be said of the most weak.

Total freedom from error is what none of us will allow to our neighbors; however we may be inclined to flirt a little with such spotless perfection ourselves.