The prospect of being pleased tomorrow will never console me for the boredom of today.

The intention of never deceiving often exposes us to deception.

It is not expedient or wise to examine our friends too closely; few persons are raised in our esteem by a close examination.

Spiritual health is no more stable than bodily; and though we may seem unaffected by the passions we are just as liable to be carried away by them as to fall ill when in good health.

It is a mighty error to suppose that none but violent and strong passions, such as love and ambition, are able to vanquish the rest. Even idleness, as feeble and languishing as it is, sometimes reigns over them; it usurps the throne and sits paramount over all the designs and actions of our lives, and imperceptibly wastes and destroys all our passions and all our virtues.

We should desire very few things passionately if we did but perfectly know the nature of the things we desire.

A true friend is the greatest of all blessings, and that which we take the least care of all to acquire.