I am in the pitiable situation of feeling all the force of temptation without having the strength to succumb to it.

Idleness is only the refuge of weak minds.

Never write down your speeches beforehand; if you do, you may perhaps be a good declaimer, but will never be a debater.

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.

Pleasure is a necessary reciprocal. No one feels, who does not at the same time give it. To be pleased, one must please. What pleases you in others, will in general please them in you.

To have frequent recourse to narrative betrays great want of imagination.

The possibility of remedying imprudent actions is commonly an inducement to commit them.