The law before us, my lords, seems to be the effect of that practice of which it is intended likewise to be the cause, and to be dictated by the liquor of which it so effectually promotes the use; for surely it never before was conceived by any man entrusted with the administration of public affairs, to raise taxes by the destruction of the people.

Firmness of purpose is one of the best instruments of success.

Advice is seldom welcome, and those who need it the most, like it the least.

I heartily wish you, in the plain home-spun style, a great number of happy new years, well employed in forming both your mind andyour manners, to be useful and agreeable to yourself, your country, and your friends.

Man is more himself, man is more manlike, when joy is the fundamental thing in him, and grief the superficial.

I knew a gentleman who was so good a manager of his time that he would not even lose that small portion of it which the calls of nature obliged him to pass in the necessary-house; but gradually went through all the Latin poets in those moments.

Buy good books, and read them; the best books are the commonest, and the last editions are always the best, if the editors are not blockheads.