Pride is less ashamed of being ignorant, than of being instructed, and she looks too high to find that, which very often lies beneath her.

We ought not to be over-anxious to encourage innovation in cases of doubtful improvement, for an old system must ever have two advantages over a new one; it is established, and it is understood.

Where we cannot invent, we may at least improve.

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.

The most zealous converters are always the most rancorous when they fail of producing conversion.

He that studies only men will get the body of knowledge without the soul; and he that studies only books, the soul without the body.

Duke Chartres used to boast that no man could have less real value for character than himself, yet he would gladly give twenty thousand pounds for a good one, because he could immediately make double that sum by means of it.