Gold is worshipped in all climates, without a single temple, and by all classes, without a single hypocrite.

Where true religion has prevented one crime, false religions have afforded a pretext for a thousand.

A thorough-paced knave will rarely quarrel with one whom he can cheat: his revenge is plunder; therefore he is usually the most forgiving of beings, upon the principle that if he come to an open rupture, he must defend himself; and this does not suit a man whose vocation it is to keep his hands in the pocket of another.

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.

What is earthly happiness? that phantom of which we hear so much, and see so little; whose promises are constantly given and constantly broken, but as constantly believed; that cheats us with the sound instead of the substance, and with the blossom instead of the fruit. Like Juno, she is a goddess in pursuit, but a cloud in possession.

To be a mere verbal critic is what no man of genius would be if he could; but to be a critic of true taste and feeling is what no man without genius could be if he would.

Fashions smile has given wit to dullness and grace to deformity, and has brought everything into vogue, by turns, but virtue.