Religion contracts the circle of our pleasures, but leaves it wide enough for her votaries to expatiate in.

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

To be perfectly just is an attribute of the divine nature; to be so to the utmost of our abilities, is the glory of man.

Contentment produces, in some measure, all those effects which the alchemist usually ascribes to what he calls the philosopher's stone; and if it does not bring riches, it does the same thing by banishing the desire for them.

There is nothing that makes its way more directly into the soul than beauty.

The Lord my pasture shall prepare, And feed me with a shepherd's care; His presence shall my wants supply, And guard me with a watchful eye.

Most of the trades, professions, and ways of living among mankind, take their original either from the love of the pleasure, or the fear of want. The former, when it becomes too violent, degenerates into luxury, and the latter into avarice.