Nothing so uncertain as general reputation. A man injures me from humor, passion, or interest; hates me because he has injured me; and speaks ill of me because he hates me.

Emotions are raised in us, not only by the qualities and actions of others, but also by their feelings. I cannot behold a man in distress, without partaking of his pain; nor in joy, without partaking of his pleasure.

Were wisdom to be sold, she would give no price; every man is satisfied with the share he has from nature.

Great wants proceed from great wealth; but they are undutiful children, for they sink wealth down to poverty.

Men are guided less by conscience than by glory; and yet the shortest way to glory is to be guided by conscience.

An infallible way to make your child miserable is to satisfy all his demands. Passion swells by gratification; and the impossibility of satisfying every one of his demands will oblige you to stop short at last, after he has become a little headstrong.

To a zealot every one of his own sect is a saint, while the most upright of a different sect are to him children of perdition.