Luxury possibly may contribute to give bread to the poor; but if there were no luxury, there would be no poor.

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

When you descant on the faults of others, consider whether you be not guilty of the same. To gain knowledge of ourselves, the best way is to convert the imperfections of others into a mirror for discovering our own.

The coward reckons himself cautious, the miser frugal.

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

No man ever did a designed injury to another, but at the same time he did a greater to himself.

Violent passions are formed in solitude. In the busy world no object has time to make a deep impression.