Wit is the god of moments, but Genius is the god of ages.

Discretion is the perfection of reason, and a guide to us in all the duties of life; cunning is a kind of instinct, that only looks out after our immediate interests and welfare. Discretion is only found in men of strong sense and good understanding; cunning is often to be met with in brutes themselves, and in persons who are but the fewest removes from them.

Two persons cannot long be friends if they cannot forgive each other's little failings.

We should keep silent about those in power; to speak well of them almost implies flattery; to speak ill of them while they are alive is dangerous, and when they are dead is cowardly.

The duty of a judge is to administer justice, but his practice is to delay it

Great things astonish us, and small dishearten us. Custom makes both familiar.

The pleasure a man of honor enjoys in the consciousness of having performed his duty is a reward he pays himself for all his pains.