What sunshine is to flowers, smiles are to humanity. These are but trifles, to be sure; but scattered along life's pathway, the good they do is inconceivable.

He only is a great man who can neglect the applause of the multitude and enjoy himself independent of its favor.

The friendships of the world are oft confederacies in vice, or leagues of pleasures.

When men are easy in their circumstances, they are naturally enemies to innovations.

A man whose extraordinary reputation thus lifts him up to the notice and observation of mankind, draws a multitude of eyes upon him, that will narrowly inspect every part of him.

One of the most important but one of the most difficult things for a powerful mind is to be its own master.

By anticipation we sugar misery and enjoy happiness before they are in being. We can set the sun and stars forward, or lose sight of them by wandering into those retired parts of eternity when the heavens and earth shall be no more.