There are some souls so base and filthy that they love gain and interest as noble souls love fame and virtue, knowing one pleasure only, that of making money or of not losing it; anxious and avid for their ten per cent; entirely preoccupied with what is owed them; forever concerned about the depreciation or discredit of money; buried, and as it were engulfed, amid contracts, title-deeds and parchments. Such people are neither parents, friends, citizens or Christians, nor, perhaps, even men; they merely have money.

Even the best intentioned of great men need a few scoundrels around them; there are some things you cannot ask an honest ma to do.

It's motive alone which gives character to the actions of men.

Extremes are vicious, and proceed from men; compensation is just, and proceeds from God.

A lovely countenance is the fairest of all sights, and the sweetest harmony is the sound of the voice of her whom we love.

Misers are neither relations, nor friends, nor citizens, nor Christians, nor perhaps even human beings.

A vain man finds it wise to speak good or ill of himself; a modest man does not talk of himself.