Youth is too tumultuous for felicity; old age too insecure for happiness. The period most favorable to enjoyment, in a vigorous, fortunate, and generous life, is that between forty and sixty.

Men, like musical instruments, seem made to be played upon.

It is our relation to circumstances that determines their influence upon us.

Troubles forereckoned are doubly suffered.

Sensitiveness is closely allied to egotism; and excessive sensibility is only another name for morbid self-consciousness. The cure for tender sensibilities is to make more of our objects and less of our selves.

Difficulties, by bracing the mind to overcome them, assist cheerfulness, as exercise assists digestion.

Dishonesty is a forsaking of permanent for temporary advantages.