Though all afflictions are evils in themselves, yet they are good for us, because they discover to us our disease and tend to our cure.

There is no readier way for a man to bring his own worth into question than by endeavoring to detract from the worth of other men.

When a man has once forfeited the reputation of his integrity, he is set fast, and nothing will then serve his turn, neither truth nor falsehood.

Wisdom and understanding are synonymous words; they consist of two propositions, which are not distinct in sense, but one and the same thing variously expressed.

Malice and hatred are very fretting and vexatious, and apt to make our minds sore and uneasy; but he that can moderate these affections will find ease in his mind.

Next to the wicked lives of men, nothing is so great a disparagement and weakening to religion as the divisions of Christians.

Even so does he who provides for the short time of this life, but takes no care for all eternity; which is to be wise for a moment, but a fool for ever; and to act as crossly to the reason of things as can be imagined; to regard time as if it were eternity, and to neglect eternity as if it were but a short time.