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.

There is something to be said for jealousy, because it only designs the preservation of some good which we either have or think wehave a right to. But envy is a raging madness that cannot bear the wealth or fortune of others.

The passions are the only orators which always persuade.

Few things are impracticable in themselves; and it is for want of application, rather than of means, that men fail to succeed.

There is a sort of love whose very excessiveness prevents the lover's being jealous.

Familiarity is a suspension of almost all the laws of civility, which libertinism has introduced into society under the notion of ease.

Criticism sometimes is really praise, and praise sometimes slander.