With books, as with companions, it is of more consequence to know which to avoid, than which to choose; for good books are as scarce as good companions...

Pity a thing often avowed, seldom felt; hatred is a thing often felt, seldom avowed.

A Christian builds his fortitude on a better foundation than stoicism; he is pleased with every thing that happens, because he knows it could not happen unless it first pleased God, and that which pleases Him must be best.

Those who visit foreign nations, but who associate only with their own countrymen, change their climate, but not their customs 'caelum non animum mutant': they see new meridians, but the same men, and with heads as empty as their pockets.

Justice to my readers compels me to admit that I write because I have nothing to do; justice to myself induces me to add that I will cease to write the moment I have nothing to say.

Where we cannot invent, we may at least improve.

Folly disgusts us less by her ignorance than pedantry by her learning.