Chance corrects us of many faults that reason would not know how to correct.

It is as common for tastes to change as it is uncommon for traits of character.

It is given to few persons to keep this secret well. Those who lay down rules too often break them, and the safest we are able to give is to listen much, to speak little, and to say nothing that that will ever give ground or regret.

The appearances of goodness and merit often meet with a greater reward from the world than goodness and merit themselves.

However glorious an action in itself, it ought not to pass for great if it be not the effect of wisdom and intention.

There may be talent without position, but there is no position without some kind of talent.

Nothing is so contagious as example; never was there any considerable good or ill done that does not produce its like. We imitate good actions through emulation, and had ones through a malignity in our nature, which shame conceals, and example sets at liberty.