A very great part of the mischiefs that vex the world arises from words.

Whenever our neighbour's house is on fire, it cannot be amiss for the engines to play a little on our own.

Facts are to the mind what food is to the body. On the due digestion of the former depend the strength and wisdom of the one, just as vigor and health depend on the other. The wisest in council, the ablest in debate, and the most agreeable companion in the commerce of human life, is that man who has assimilated to his understanding the greatest number of facts.

There is a sort of enthusiasm in all projectors, absolutely necessary for their affairs, which makes them proof against the most fatiguing delays, the most mortifying disappointments, the most shocking insults; and, what is severer than all, the presumptuous judgement of the ignorant upon their designs.

No man can mortgage his injustice as a pawn for his fidelity.

I would rather sleep in the southern corner of a little country churchyard than in the tomb of the Capulets.

No government ought to exist for the purpose of checking the prosperity of its people or to allow such a principle in its policy.