Plutarch has written an essay on the benefits which a man may receive from his enemies; and among the good fruits of enmity, mentions this in particular, that by the reproaches which it casts upon us, we see the worst side of ourselves.

Among all kinds of Writing, there is none in which Authors are more apt to miscarry than in Works of Humour, as there is none in which they are more ambitious to excel.

There is more of turn than of truth in a saying of Seneca, "That drunkenness does not produce but discover faults." Common experience teaches the contrary. Wine throws a man out of himself, and infuses dualities into the mind which she is a stranger to in her sober moments.

But in all despotic governments, though a particular prince may favour arts and letter, there is a natural degeneracy of mankind.

Our friends don't see our faults, or conceal them, or soften them.

It is not the business of virtue to extirpate the affections of the mind, but to regulate them.

A day, an hour, of virtuous liberty Is worth a whole eternity in bondage.