Economy is an excellent lure to betray people into expense.

That happy state of mind, so rarely possessed, in which we can say, "I have enough," is the highest attainment of philosophy.

The lust of dominion innovates so imperceptibly that we become complete despots before our wanton abuse of power is perceived; the tyranny first exercised in the nursery is exhibited in various shapes and degrees in every stage of our existence.

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

Profound meditation in solitude and silence frequently exalts the mind above its natural tone, fires the imagination, produces the most refined and sublime conceptions. The soul then tastes the purest and most refined delight, and almost loses the idea of existence in the intellectual pleasure it receives. The mind on every motion darts through space into eternity; and raised, in its free enjoyment of its powers by its own enthusiasm, strengthens itself in the habitude of contemplating the noblest subjects, and of adopting the most heroic pursuits.

Nobility should be elective, not hereditary.

Wit, to be well defined, must be defined by wit itself; then it will be worth listening to.