It is a curious paradox that precisely in proportion to our own intellectual weakness will be our credulity, to those mysterious powers assumed by others; and in those regions of darkness and ignorance where man cannot effect even those things that are within the power of man, there we shall ever find that a blind belief in feats that are far beyond those powers has taken the deepest root in the minds of the deceived, and produced the richest harvest to the knavery of the deceiver.

Riches may enable us to confer favors, but to confer them with propriety and grace requires a something that riches cannot give.

Secrecy is the soul of all great designs.

We are sure to be losers when we quarrel with ourselves; it is civil war.

Anger is practical awkwardness.

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

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.