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.

Ridicule, which chiefly arises from pride, a selfish passion, is but at best a gross pleasure, too rough an entertainment for those who are highly polished and refined.

If you should escape the censure of others, hope not to escape your own.

We part more easily with what we possess, than with our expectations of what we wish for; because expectation always goes beyond enjoyment.

Death, whether it regards ourselves or others, appears less terrible in war than at home. The cries of women and children, friends in anguish, a dark room, dim tapers, priests and physicians, are what affect us the most on the death-bed. Behold us already more than half dead and buried.

Even dress is apt to inflame a man's opinion of himself.

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