Whatever stress some may lay upon it, a death-bed repentance is but a weak and slender plank to trust our all on.

There is a plain distinction to be made betwixt pleasure and happiness. For tho' there can be no happiness without pleasure--yet the converse of the proposition will not hold true.--We are so made, that from the common gratifications of our appetites, and the impressions of a thousand objects, we snatch the one, like a transient gleam, without being suffered to taste the other.

The most accomplished way of using books is to serve them as some people do lords; learn their titles and then brag of their acquaintance.

The happiness of life may be greatly increased by small courtesies in which there is no parade, whose voice is too still to tease, and which manifest themselves by tender and affectionate looks, and little kind acts of attention.

In solitude the mind gains strength and learns to lean upon itself.

I often derive a peculiar satisfaction in conversing with the ancient and modern dead, — who yet live and speak excellently in their works. My neighbors think me often alone, — and yet at such times I am in company with more than five hundred mutes — each of whom, at my pleasure, communicates his ideas to me by dumb signs — quite as intelligently as any person living can do by uttering of words.

I am positive I have a soul; nor can all the books with which materialists have pestered the world ever convince me to the contrary.