When a man is made up wholly of the dove, without the least grain of the serpent in his composition, he becomes ridiculous in many circumstances of life, and very often discredits his best actions.

If our zeal were true and genuine we should be much more angry with a sinner than a heretic.

An honest man, that is not quite sober, has nothing to fear.

Temperance gives nature her full play, and enables her to exert herself in all her force and vigor.

If men of eminence are exposed to censure on one hand, they are as much liable to flattery on the other. If they receive reproaches which are not due to them, they likewise receive praises which they do not deserve.

It is only imperfection that complains of what is imperfect. The more perfect we are the more gentle and quiet we become towards the defects of others.

A misery is not to be measure from the nature of the evil but from the temper of the sufferer.