Leisure, the highest happiness upon earth, is seldom enjoyed with perfect satisfaction, except in solitude. Indolence and indifference do not always afford leisure; for true leisure is frequently found in that interval of relaxation which divides a painful duty from an agreeable recreation; a toilsome business from the more agreeable occupations of literature and philosophy.

An everlasting tranquility is, in my imagination, the highest possible felicity, because I know of no felicity on earth higher than that which a peaceful mind and contented heart afford.

When we meet with better fare than was expected, the disappointment is overlooked even by the unscrupulous. When we meet with worse than was expected, philosophers alone know how to make it better.

Who conquers indolence conquers all other hereditary sins.

A moral lesson is better expressed in short sayings than in long discourse.

Fools with bookish knowledge art children with edged weapons; they hurt themselves, and put others in pain.

Those beings only are fit for solitude who are like nobody, and are liked by nobody.