True benevolence or compassion, extends itself through the whole of existence and sympathizes with the distress of every creature capable of sensation.

In the loss of an object we do not proportion our grief to the real value it bears, but to the value our fancies set upon it.

Admiration is a very short lived passion that immediately decays upon growing familiar with its object, unless it still be fed with fresh discoveries, and kept alive by a new perpetual succession of miracles rising up to its view.

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.

Nothing makes men sharper than want.

Content has a kindly influence on the soul of man, in respect of every being to whom he stands related. It extinguishes all murmuring, repining, and ingratitude toward that Being who has allotted us our part to act in the world. It destroys all inordinate ambition; gives sweetness to the conversation, and serenity to all the thoughts; and if it does not bring riches, it does the same thing by banishing the desire of them.

There is not a more pleasante exercise of the mind than gratitude.