If sensuality be our only happiness we ought to envy the brutes, for instinct is a surer, shorter, safer guide to such happiness than reason.

If Satan ever laughs, it must be at hypocrites; they are the greatest dupes he has.

Custom is the law of one description of fools, and fashion of another; but the two parties often clash--for precedent is the legislator of the first, and novelty of the last. Custom, therefore, looks to things that are past, and fashion to things that are present.

Faults of the head are punished in this world, those of the heart in another; but as most of our vices are compound, so also is their punishment.

We often regret we did not do otherwise, when that very otherwise would, in all probability, have done for us.

Were we as eloquent as angels we still would please people much more by listening rather than talking.

Cruel men are the greatest lovers of Mercy, avaricious men of generosity, and proud men of humility; that is to say, in other, not in themselves.