A reader seldom peruses a book with pleasure until he knows whether the writer of it be a black man or a fair man, of a mild or choleric disposition, married or a bachelor.

A man improves more by reading the story of a person eminent for prudence and virtue, than by the finest rules and precepts of morality.

I always rejoice when I see a tribunal filled with a man of an upright and inflexible temper, who in the execution of his country's laws can overcome all private fear, resentment, solicitation, and even pity it self. Whatever passion enters into a sentence or decision, so far will there be in it a tincture of injustice. In short, justice discards party, friendship, kindred, and is therefore always represented as blind, that we may suppose her thoughts are wholly intent on the equity of a cause, without being diverted or prejudiced by objects foreign to it.

There is noting truly valuable which can be purchased without pains and labor. The gods have set a price upon every real and noble pleasure.

An ostentatious man will rather relate a blunder or an absurdity he has committed, than be debarred from talking of his own dear person.

One may know a man that never conversed in the world, by his excess of good-breeding.

A just and reasonable modesty does not only recommend eloquence, but sets off every great talent which a man can be possessed of.