An egotist will always speak of himself, either in praise or in censure, but a modest man ever shuns making himself the subject of his conversation.

A tall, well-built man with a deep chest and broad shoulders can carry a heavy burden with ease and unconcern, and still keep one hand free; a dwarf would be crushed by half that weight. Thus lofty posts make great men greater still, and small men much smaller.

When we have run through all forms of government, without partiality to that we were born under, we are at a loss with which to side; they are all a compound of good and evil. It is therefore most reasonable and safe to value that of our own country above all others, and to submit to it.

Favor exalts a man above his equals, but his dismissal from that favor places him below them.

Manners carry the world for the moment, character for all time.

Let us not envy some men their accumulated riches; their burden would be too heavy for us; we could not sacrifice, as they do, health, quiet, honor and conscience, to obtain them: It is to pay so dear from them that the bargain is a loss.

Cheats easily believe others as bad as themselves; there is no deceiving them, nor do they long deceive.