Discretion is the perfection of reason, and a guide to us in all the duties of life. It is only found in men of sound sense and understanding.

Politeness does not always inspire goodness, equity, complaisance, and gratitude; it gives at least the appearance of these qualities, and makes man appear outwardly, as he should be within.

No man is so perfect, so necessary to his friends as to give them no cause to miss him less.

Eminent station makes great men more great, and little ones less.

If this life is unhappy, it is a burden to us, which it is difficult to bear; if it is in every respect happy, it is dreadful to be deprived of it; so that in either case the result is the same, for we must exist in anxiety and apprehension.

The first day one is a guest, the second a burden, and the third a pest.

There is not in the world so toilsome a trade as the pursuit of fame; life concludes before you have so much as sketched your work.