A man's first care should be to avoid the reproaches of his own heart; his next, to escape the censures of the world: if the last interferes with the former, it ought to be entirely neglected; but otherwise there cannot be a greater satisfaction to an honest mind, than to see those approbations which it gives itself seconded by the applauses of the public.

There are no more useful members in a commonwealth than merchants. They knit mankind together in a mutual intercourse of good offices, distribute the gifts of Nature, find work for the poor, and wealth to the rich, and magnificence to the great.

Faith is kept alive in us, and gathers strength, more from practice than from speculations.

Friendships, in general, are suddenly contracted; and therefore it is no wonder they are easily dissolved.

Mankind are more indebted to industry than ingenuity; the gods set up their favors at a price, and industry is the purchaser.

It is of unspeakable advantage to possess our minds with an habitual good intention, and to aim all our thoughts, words, and actions at some laudable end.

It is impossible for authors to discover beauties in one another's works; they have eyes only for spots and blemishes.