There are few mortals so insensible that their affections cannot he gained by mildness, their confidence by sincerity, their hatred by scorn or neglect

Nobility should be elective, not hereditary.

There appears to exist a greater desire to live long than to live well! Measure by man's desires, he cannot live long enough; measure by his good deeds, and he has not lived long enough; measure by his evil deeds, and he has lived too long.

Never lose sight of this important truth, that no one can be truly great until he has gained a knowledge of himself, a knowledge which can only be acquired by occasional retirement.

Contempt is frequently regulated by fashion.

Age is suspicious but is not itself often suspected.

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