There is no vice which mankind carries to such wild extremes as that of avarice.

In all assemblies, though you wedge them ever so close, we may observe this peculiar property, that over their heads there is room enough; but how to reach it is the difficult point. To this end the philosopher's way in all ages has been by erecting certain edifices in the air.

The ruin of a State is generally preceded by an universal degeneracy of manners and contempt of religion.

So endless and exorbitant are the desires of men that they will grasp at all, and can form no scheme of perfect happiness with less.

Nothing more unqualified the man to act with prudence than a misfortune that is attended with shame and guilt.

A wise man will find us to be rogues by our faces.

A poor spirit is poorer than a poor purse. A very few pounds a year would ease a man of the scandal of avarice.