It is necessary, in order to know things well, to know the particulars of them; and these, being infinite, make our knowledge eversuperficial and imperfect.

Perfect courage and utter cowardice are two extremes which rarely occur.

Whilst weakness and timidity keep us to our duty, virtue has often all the honor.

Consolation for unhappiness can often be found in a certain satisfaction we get from looking unhappy.

It is often laziness and timidity that keep us within our duty while virtue gets all the credit.

Smallness of mind is the cause of stubbornness, and we do not credit readily what is beyond our view.

Some disguised deceits counterfeit truth so perfectly that not to be taken in by them would be an error of judgment.