a straight line is the shortest possible line between any two points - an axiom equally true in morals as in mathematics.

Remember, we can judge better by the conduct of people towards others than by their manner towards ourselves.

We perfectly agreed in our ideas of traveling; we hurried from place to place as fast as horses and wheels, and curses and guineas, could carry us.

How is it that hope so powerfully excites, and fear so absolutely depresses all our faculties?

I ... practiced all the arts of apology, evasion, and invisibility, to which procrastinators must sooner or later be reduced.

sometimes the very faults of parents produce a tendency to opposite virtues in their children.

No man ever distinguished himself who could not bear to be laughed at.