In the human heart there is a ceaseless birth of passions, so that the destruction of one is almost always the establishment of another.

Our merit gains us the esteem of the virtuous-our star that of the public.

One thing which makes us find so few people who appear reasonable and agreeable in conversation is, that there is scarcely any one who does not think more of what he is about to say than of answering precisely what is said to him.

Some crimes get honor and renown by being committed with more pomp, by a greater number, and in a higher degree of wickedness thanothers. Hence it is that public robberies, plunderings, and sackings have been looked upon as excellencies and noble achievements, and the seizing of whole countries, however unjustly and barbarously, is dignified with the glorious name of gaining conquests.

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.

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

That man, we may be sure, is a person of true worth, whom those who envy him most are yet forced to praise.