My God, how badly one calculates in this world! ... Let us leave off calculating on anything but death -- it is the only certainty.

We all owe each other concessions of taste and opinion for the sake of family peace and affection.

The errors of the intellect are fatal, still more dangerous than those of the heart.

Oh! if people were but acquainted with piety, they would not fear it so much, or give it so unattractive a character; 'tis the balm of life, and perhaps in the world it is believed to consist of bitterness, harshness, uncouthness; but, take my word for it, nothing is more gentle, more yielding, more loving than a pious soul.

Certainly, friends are sufficiently rare not to be neglected; they are life's best comforters.

Kings may see their palaces fall, but the ants will always have their dwellings.

Fear is the beginning of wisdom.