Wars of opinion, as they have been the most destructive, are also the most disgraceful of conflicts.

When in reading we meet with any maxim that may be of use, we should take it for our own, and make an immediate application of it, as we would of the advice of a friend whom we have purposely consulted.

When you have nothing to say, say nothing.

Many speak the truth when they say that they despise riches, but they mean the riches possessed by others.

We often pretend to fear what we really despise, and more often despise what we really fear.

It is with nations as with individuals, those who know the least of others think the highest of themselves; for the whole family of pride and ignorance are incestuous, and mutually beget each other.

I'm aiming by the time I'm fifty to stop being an adolescent.