A small degree of wit, accompanied by good sense, is less tiresome in the long run than a great amount of wit without it.

When we seek reconciliation with our enemies, it is commonly out of a desire to better our own condition, a being harassed and tired out with a state of war, and a fear of some ill accident which we are willing to prevent.

The only thing that should astonish us is that anything can yet astonish us.

The wind which snuffs the candle fans the fire.

When our vices desert us, we flatter ourselves that we are deserting our vices.

Philosophy easily triumphs over past and future ills; but present ills triumph over philosophy.

There are few occasions when we should make a bad bargain by giving up the good on condition that no ill was said of us.