That author, however, who has thought more than he has read, read more than he has written, and written more than he has published, if he does not command success, has at least deserved it.

Constant success shows us but one side of the world; adversity brings out the reverse of the picture.

Some are cursed with the fullness of satiety; and how can they bear the ills of life when its very pleasures fatigue them?

The cynic who twitted Aristippus by observing that the philosopher who could dine on herbs might despise the company of a king, was well replied to by Aristippus, when he remarked that the philosopher who could enjoy the company or a king might also despise a dinner of herbs.

Power will intoxicate the best hearts, as wine the strongest heads. No man is wise enough, nor good enough to be trusted with unlimited power.

There are three kinds of power,--wealth, strength, and talent; but as old age always weakens, often destroys, the two latter, the aged are induced to cling with the greater avidity to the former.

Custom looks to things that are past, and fashion to things that are present, but both of them are somewhat purblind as to things that are to come.