Before we set our hearts too much upon anything, let us examine how happy they are, who already possess it.

The whimsicalness of our own humor is a thousand times more fickle and unaccountable than what we blame so much in fortune.

Our desires always disappoint us; for though we meet with something that gives us satisfaction, yet it never thoroughly answers our expectation. [However disappointment can always be removed if we remember it could have turned out worse.]

Those who most obstinately oppose the most widely-held opinions more often do so because of pride than lack of intelligence. They find the best places in the right set already taken, and they do not want back seats.

In all aspects of life, we take on a part and an appearance to seem to be what we wish to be--and thus the world is merely composed of actors.

As we grow older, we increase in folly--and in wisdom.

If we did not flatter ourselves, the flattery of others could never harm us.