Undoubtedly, philosophers are in the right when they tell us that nothing is great or little otherwise than by comparison.

Patience alleviates, as impatience augments, pain; thus persons of strong will suffer less than those who give way to irritation.

It is as hard to satirize well a man of distinguished vices, as to praise well a man of distinguished virtues.

Conscience signifies that knowledge which a man hath of his own thoughts and actions; and because, if a man judgeth fairly of his actions by comparing them with the law of God, his mind will approve or condemn him; this knowledge or conscience may be both an accuser and a judge.

I forget whether advice be among the lost things which Ariosto says are to be found in the moon: that and time ought to have been there.

Vision is the Art of seeing Things invisible.

Story-telling is subject to two unavoidable defects,--frequent repetition and being soon exhausted; so that, whoever values this gift in himself, has need of a good memory, and ought frequently to shift his company.