Laughter, while it lasts, slackens and unbraces the mind, weakens the faculties, and causes a kind of remissness and dissolution in all the powers of the soul.

Mutability of temper and inconsistency with ourselves is the greatest weakness of human nature.

The great number of the Jews furnishes us with a sufficient cloud of witnesses that attest the truth of the Bible.

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

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.

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

Heaven is not to be looked upon only as the reward, but the natural effect, of a religious life.