The exceptions of the scrupulous put one in mind of some general pardons where everything is forgiven except crimes.

The man who is wantonly profuse of his promises ought to sink his credit as much as a tradesman would by uttering a great number of promissory notes payable at a distant day. The truest conclusion in both cases is, that neither intend or will be able to pay. And as the latter most probably intends to cheat you of your money, so the former at least designs to cheat you of your thanks.

Great vices are the proper objects of our detestation, smaller faults of our pity, but affectation appears to be the only true source of the ridiculous.

A man may go to heaven with half the pains it cost him to purchase hell.

To the generality of men you cannot give a stronger hint for them to impose upon you than by imposing upon yourself.

The prudence of the best heads is often defeated by tenderness of the best hearts.

When I mention religion I mean the Christian religion; and not only the Christian religion, but the Protestant religion; and not only the Protestant religion, but the Church of England.