Self-denial is often the sacrifice of one sort of self-love for another.

Few things are more agreeable to self-love than revenge, and yet no cause so effectually restrains us from revenge as self-love. And this paradox naturally suggests another; that the strength of the community is not unfrequently built upon the weakness of those individuals that compose it.

There are many women who have never intrigued, and many men who have never gamed; but those who have done either but once are very extraordinary animals.

Great men, like comets, are eccentric in their courses, and formed to do extensive good by modes unintelligible to vulgar minds.

Our very best friends have a tincture of jealousy even in their friendship; and when they hear us praised by others, will ascribe it to sinister and interested motives if they can.

In life we shall find many men that are great, and some that are good, but very few men that are both great and good.

Law and equity are two things which God has joined, but which man has put asunder.