Gentleness is the outgrowth of benignity.

People talk as if the act of death made a complete change in the nature, as well as in the condition of man. Death is the vehicle to another state of being, but possesses no power to qualify us for that state. In conveying us to a new world it does not give us a new heart.

My retirement was now become solitude; the former is, I believe, the best state for the mind of man, the latter almost the worst. In complete solitude, the eye wants objects, the heart wants attachments, the understanding wants reciprocation. The character loses its tenderness when it has nothing to strengthen it, its sweetness when it has nothing to soothe it.

Anger is a violent act, envy a constant habit - no one can be always angry, but he may be always envious.

Glory darts her soul-pervading ray on thrones and cottages, regardless still of all the artificial nice distinctions vain human customs make.

If we commit any crime, or do any good here, it must be in thought; for our words are few and our deeds none at all.

Those who want nothing are apt to forget how many there are who want every thing.