Commend a fool for his wit, or a rogue for his honesty and he will receive you into his favour.

I look upon the vulgar observation, 'That the devil often deserts his friends, and leaves them in the lurch,' to be a great abuse on that gentleman's character. Perhaps he may sometimes desert those who are only his cup acquaintance; or who, at most, are but half his; but he generally stands by those who are thoroughly his servants, and helps them off in all extremities, till their bargain expires.

Adversity is the trial of principle. Without it, a man hardly knows whether he is honest or not.

The woman and the soldier who do not defend the first pass will never defend the last.

Prudence is a duty which we owe ourselves, and if we will be so much our own enemies as to neglect it, we are not to wonder if the world is deficient in discharging their duty to us; for when a man lays the foundation of his own ruin, others too often are apt to build upon it.

Gravity is the best cloak for sin in all countries.

What a silly fellow must he be who would do the devil's work for free.