It is a celebrated thought of Socrates, that if all the misfortunes of mankind were cast into a public stock, in order to be equally distributed among the whole species, those who now think themselves the most unhappy would prefer the share they are already possessed of, before that which would fall to them by such a division. [as they realise their problems could be worse!]

The head has the most beautiful appearance, as well as the highest station, in a human figure.

The transition from cause to effect, from event to event, is often carried on by secret steps, which our foresight cannot divine, and our sagacity is unable to trace.

To be exempt from the passions with which others are tormented, is the only pleasing solitude.

Honor's a fine imaginary notion, that draws in raw and unexperienced men to real mischiefs.

Man is distinguished from all other creatures by the faculty of laughter.

Religion prescribes to every miserable man the means of bettering his condition; nay, it shows him that the bearing of his afflictions as he ought to do, will naturally end in the removal of them.