But the works of man are impotent against the assaults of nature . . .

The patient and active virtues of a soldier are insensibly nursed in the habits and discipline of a pastoral life.

The science of the laws is the slow growth of time and experience.

The monastic studies have tended, for the most part, to darken, rather than to dispel, the cloud of superstition.

Every man who rises above the common level has received two educations: the first from his teachers; the second, more personal and important, from himself.

The complaints of contemporary writes, who deplore the increase of luxury and deprevation of manners, are commonly expressive of their peculiar temper and situation. There are few observers who possess a clear and comprehensive view of the revolutions of society, and who are capable of discovering the nice and secret springs of action which impel, in the same uniform direction, the bland and capricious passions of a multitude of individuals.

[The] liberty of divorce does not contribute to happiness and virtue. The facility of separation would destroy all mutual confidence, and inflame every trifling dispute . . .