A man improves more by reading the story of a person eminent for prudence and virtue, than by the finest rules and precepts of morality.

I would fain ask one of these bigotted Infidels, supposing all the great Points of Atheism... were laid together and formed into a kind of Creed, according to the Opinions of the most celebrated Atheists; I say, supposing such a Creed as this were formed, and imposed upon any one People in the World, whether it would not require an infinitely greater Measure of Faith, than any Set of Articles which they so violently oppose.

It is not the business of virtue to extirpate the affections of the mind, but to regulate them.

The chief ingredients in the composition of those qualities that gain esteem and praise, are good nature, truth, good sense, and good breeding.

What an absurd thing it is to pass over all the valuable parts of a man, and fix our attention on his infirmities.

Advertisements are of great use to the vulgar. First of all, as they are instruments of ambition. A man that is by no means big enough for the Gazette, may easily creep into the advertisements; by which means we often see an apothecary in the same paper of news with a plenipotentiary, or a running footman with an ambassador.

Among the several kinds of beauty, the eye takes most delight in colors.