Vain men delight in telling what Honours have been done them, what great Company they have kept, and the like; by which they plainly confess, that these Honours were more than their Due, and such as their Friends would not believe if they had not been told: Whereas a Man truly proud, thinks the greatest Honours below his Merit, and consequently scorns to boast. I therefore deliver it as a Maxim that whoever desires the Character of a proud Man, ought to conceal his Vanity.

hoever wishes to win in this game must have patience and money, since the values are so little constant and the rumors so little founded on truth Vision is the art of seeing things invisible.

Arbitrary power is but the first natural step from anarchy, or the savage life.

What they do in heaven we are ignorant of; what they do not do we are told expressly.

The lack of belief is a defect that ought to be concealed when it cannot be overcome.

Interest is the spur of the people, but glory that of great souls. Invention is the talent of youth, and judgment of age.

Everybody wants to live forever, but nobody wants to grow old.