Animals, in their generation, are wiser than the sons of men; but their wisdom is confined to a few particulars, and lies in a very narrow compass.

A just and reasonable modesty does not only recommend eloquence, but sets off every great talent which a man can be possessed of.

There is nothing which strengthens faith more than the observance of morality.

A man with great talents, but void of discretion, is like Polyphemus in the fable, strong and blind, endued with an irresistible force, which for want of sight is of no use to him.

Complaisance, though in itself it be scarce reckoned in the number of moral virtues, is that which gives a lustre to every talent a man can be possessed of. It was Plato's advice to an unpolished writer that he should sacrifice to the graces. In the same manner I would advise every man of learning, who would not appear in the world a mere scholar or philosopher, to make himself master of the social virtue which I have here mentioned.

No man writes a book without meaning something, though he may not have the faculty of writing consequentially and expressing his meaning.

Charity is a virtue of the heart, and not of the hands.