A very prosperous people, flushed with great victories and successes, are seldom so pious, so humble, so just, or so provident as to perpetuate their happiness.

A good character when established should not be rested in as an end, but only employed as a means of doing still further good.

Luther deters me from solitariness; but he does not mean from a sober solitude that rallies our scattered strengths and prepares us against any new encounter from without.

What we employ in charitable uses during our lives is given away from ourselves; what we bequeath at our death is given from others only, as our nearest relations.

A good man not only forbears those gratifications which are forbidden by reason and religion, but even restrains himself in unforbidden instances.

If God be infinitely holy, just, and good, He must take delight in those creatures that resemble Him most in these perfections.

From mere success nothing can be concluded in favor of any nation upon whom it is bestowed.