There is an excess both in happiness and misery above our power of sensation.

What is called generosity is usually only the vanity of giving; we enjoy the vanity more than the thing given.

There are heroes in evil as well as in good.

Praise is a more ingenious, concealed, and subtle kind of flattery, that satisfies both the giver and the receiver, though by verydifferent ways. The one accepts it as a reward due to his merit; the other gives it that he may be looked upon as a just and discerning person.

Our temper sets a price upon every gift that we receive from fortune.

There are very few things impossible in themselves; and we do not want means to conquer difficulties so much as application and resolution in the use of means.

When our vices desert us, we flatter ourselves that we are deserting our vices.