A well-born man is fortunate, but so is the man about whom people no longer ask, 'is he well-born?'

Genius and great abilities are often wanting; sometimes, only opportunities. Some deserve praise for what they have done; others for what they would have done.

Avoid lawsuits beyond all things; they pervert your conscience, impair your health, and dissipate your property.

It is worse to apprehend than to suffer.

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

There is as much trickery required to grow rich by a stupid book as there is folly in buying it.

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