A readiness to believe ill of others, before we have duly examined it, is the effect of laziness and pride. We are eager to find aculprit, and loath to give ourselves the trouble of examining the crime.

The defects and faults of the mind are like wounds in the body; after all imaginable care has been taken to heal them up, still there will be a scar left behind, and they are in continual danger of breaking the skin and bursting out again.

The truest mark of being born with great qualities is to be born without envy.

Esteem never makes ingrates.

We would rather see those to whom we do good, than those who do good to us.

A clever man should handle his interests so that each will fall in suitable order of their value.

Fortune makes our virtues and vices visible, just as light does the objects of sight.