Moderation is the feebleness and sloth of the soul, whereas ambition is the warmth and activity of it.

Self-interest speaks all manner of tongues and plays all manner of parts, even that of disinterestedness.

Avarice misapprehends itself almost always. There is no passion which more often will miss its aim, nor upon which the present has so much influence to the prejudice of the future.

What makes us so often discontented with those who transact business for us is that they almost always abandon the interest of their friends for the interest of the business, because they wish to have the honor of succeeding in that which they have undertaken.

Those only are despicable who fear to be despised.

There are very few things impossible in themselves; and we do not want means to conquer difficulties so much as application and resolution in the use of means.

As we grow older we grow both more foolish and wiser at the same time.