It is folly for an eminent man to think of escaping censure, and a weakness to be affected with it. All the illustrious persons of antiquity, and indeed of every age in the world, have passed through this fiery persecution.

An indiscreet man is more hurtful than an ill-natured one; for as the latter will only attack his enemies, and those he wishes ill to, the other injures indifferently both friends and foes.

When a man becomes familiar with his goddess, she quickly sinks into a woman.

Words, when well chosen, have so great a force in them, that a description often gives us more lively ideas than the sight of things themselves.

Faith is kept alive in us, and gathers strength, more from practice than from speculations.

I consider time as an in immense ocean, in which many noble authors are entirely swallowed up.

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.