Every character is in some respects uniform, and in others inconsistent; and it is only by the study both of the uniformity and inconsistency, and a comparison of them with each other, that the knowledge of man is acquired.

Love will sacrifice more to others than friendship, but then it exacts more from them.

Genius always looks forward, and not only sees what is, but what necessarily will be.

One great reason why men practice generosity so little in the world, is, their finding so little there: generosity is catching; and if so many men escape it, it is in a great degree from the same reason that country-men escape the smallpox, because they meet no one to give it to them.

Every character is in some respects uniform, and in others inconsistent; and it is only by the study both of the uniformity and inconsistency, and a comparison of them with each other, that the knowledge of man is acquired.

Might not most men be as well named boys grown old.

You deny that man is really so prejudiced as I suppose him; talk to him then of some foreign country, ask him what religion he is of.