A man would rather say evil of himself than say nothing.

There is such a thing as a general revolution which changes the taste of men as it changes the fortunes of the world.

Those whom the world has delighted to honor have oftener been influenced in their doings by ambition and vanity than by patriotism.

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.]

Sobriety is concern for one's health - or limited capacity.

There are bad people who would be less dangerous if they were quite devoid of goodness.

Idleness and constancy fix the mind to what it finds easy and agreeable. This habit always confines and cramps up our knowledge; and no one has ever taken the trouble to stretch and carry his understanding as far as it could go.