The man who backbites an absent friend, nay, who does not stand up for him when another blames him, the man who angles for bursts of laughter and for the repute of a wit, who can invent what he never saw, who cannot keep a secret -- that man is black at heart: mark and avoid him.

Never was a government that was not composed of liars, malefactors and thieves.

The injuries that befall us unexpectedly are less severe than those which are deliberately anticipated.

If we lose affection and kindliness from our life: we lose all that gives it charm.

Anyone may fairly seek his own advantage, but no one has a right to do so at another's expense.

True law is right reason in agreement with nature;...it summons to duty by its commands, and averts from wrongdoing by its prohibitions... It is a sin to try to alter this law, nor is it allowable to attempt to repeal any part of it, and it is impossible to abolish it entirely.

Virtue is increased by the smile of approval; and the love of renown is the greatest incentive to honourable acts.