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.

Ignorance is a blank sheet, on which we may write; but error is a scribbled one, on which we must first erase.

He that knows himself, knows others; and he that is ignorant of himself, could not write a very profound lecture on other men's heads.

Style is indeed the valet of genius, and an able one too; but as the true gentleman will appear, even in rags, so true genius will shine, even through the coarsest style.

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.

Of all the marvelous works of God, perhaps the one angels view with the most supreme astonishment, is a proud man.

Let us not be too prodigal when we are young, nor too parsimonious when we are old. Otherwise we shall fall into the common error of those, who, when they had the power to enjoy, had not the prudence to acquire; and when they had the prudence to acquire, had no longer the power to enjoy.