That of all the several ways of beginning a book which are now in practice throughout the known world, I am confident my own way of doing it is the bst-- I'm sure it is the most religious-- for I begin with writing the first sentence-- and trusting to Almighty God for the second.

Heat is in proportion to the want of true knowledge.

Only the brave know how to forgive; it is the most refined and generous pitch of virtue human nature can arrive at.

Our passion and principals are constantly in a frenzy, but begin to shift and waver, as we return to reason.

I begin with writing the first sentence—and trusting to Almighty God for the second.

When the affections so kindly break loose, Joy, is another name for Religion.

Pain and pleasure, like light and darkness, succeed each other; and he that knows how to accommodate himself to their periodical returns, and can wisely extract the good from the evil, knows only how to live: this is true contentment, at least all that is to be had of it in this world; and for this every man must be indebted not to his fortune, but to himself.