Riches expose a man to pride and luxury, and a foolish elation of heart.

It is observed by Cicero, that men of the greatest and most shining parts are most actuated by ambition.

A good conscience is to the soul what health is to the body; it preserves constant ease and serenity within us; and more than countervails all the calamities and afflictions which can befall us from without.

Our admiration of a famous man lessens upon our nearer acquaintance with him; and we seldom hear of a celebrated person without a catalogue of some notorious weaknesses and infirmities.

A good disposition is more valuable than gold, for the latter is the gift of fortune, but the former is the dower of nature.

Among the several kinds of beauty, the eye takes most delight in colors.

I have often thought, says Sir Roger, it happens very well that Christmas should fall out in the middle of Winter.