It is commonly said that revenge is sweet, but to a calm and considerate mind, patience and forgiveness are sweeter.

Chance never writ a legible book; chance never built a fair house; chance never drew a neat picture; it never did any of these things, nor ever will; nor can it be without absurdity supposed able to do them; which yet are works very gross and rude, very easy and feasible, as it were, in comparison to the production of a flower or a tree.

Smiling always with a never fading serenity of countenance, and flourishing in an immortal youth.

Sin is never at a stay; if we do not retreat from it, we shall advance in it; and the farther on we go, the more we have to come back.

Facetiousness is allowable when it is the most proper instrument of exposing things apparently base and vile to due contempt.

The reading of books, what is it but conversing with the wisest men of all ages and all countries.

There do remain dispersed in the soil of human nature divers seeds of goodness, of benignity, of ingenuity, which, being cherished, excited, and quickened by good culture, do, by common experience, thrust out flowers very lovely, and yield fruits very pleasant of virtue and goodness.