We cannot think too highly of our nature, nor too humbly of ourselves.

As the rays of the sun, notwithstanding their velocity, injure not the eye, by reason of their minuteness, so the attacks of envy, notwithstanding their number, ought not to wound our virtue by reason of their insignificance.

Secrecy of design, when combined with rapidity of execution, like me column that guided Israel in the deserts, becomes the guardian pillar of light and fire to our friends, a cloud of overwhelming and impenetrable darkness to our enemies.

If a cause be good, the most violent attack of its enemies will not injure it so much as an injudicious defence of it by its friends.

No metaphysician ever felt the deficiency of language so much as the grateful.

Human foresight often leaves its proudest possessor only a choice of evils.

They that are loudest in their threats are the weakest in the execution of them. It is probable that he who is killed by lightning hears no noise; but the thunder-clap which follows, and which most alarms the ignorant, is the surest proof of their safety.