I do not doubt but that genuine piety is the spring of peace of mind; it enables us to bear the sorrows of life, and lessens the pangs of death: the same cannot be said of hypocrisy.

As a man falls out of favour and his wealth declines, we discover for the first time the ridiculous aspects of his character, which were always there but which wealth and favour had concealed.

There is nothing which continues longer than a moderate fortune; nothing of which one sees sooner the end than a large fortune.

Jesting is often only indigence of intellect.

The generality of men expend the early part of their lives in contributing to render the latter part miserable.

The passion of hatred is so long lived and so obstinate a malady that the surest sign of death in a sick person is their desire for reconciliation.

There is what is called the highway to posts and honor, and there is a cross and by way, which is much the shortest.