Things often offer themselves to our mind in a more finished form in the very first thought, than we might have made them by muchart and study.

When fortune surprises us by giving us some great office without having gradually led us to expect it, or without having raised our hopes, it is well nigh impossible to occupy it well, and to appear worthy to fill it.

Treachery is more often the effect of weakness than of a formed design.

As it is the mark of great minds to say many things in a few words, so it is that of little minds to use many words to say nothing.

If we are incapable of finding peace in ourselves, it is pointless to search elsewhere.

Men frequently do good only to give themselves opportunity of doing ill with impunity.

Few things are needed to make a wise man happy; nothing can make a fool content; that is why most men are miserable.