We easily enough confess in others an advantage of courage, strength, experience, activity, and beauty; but an advantage in judgment we yield to none.

All the world knows me in my book, and my book in me.

It is the rule of rules, and the general law of all laws, that every person should observe those of the place where he is.

Custom is a violent and treacherous school mistress. She, by little and lithe, slyly and unperceived, slips in the foot of her authority; but having by this gentle and humble beginning, with the benefit of time, fixed and established it, she then unmasks a furious and tyrannic countenance, against which we have no more the courage or the power so much as to lift up our eyes.

No man dies before his hour. The time you leave behind was no more yours, than that which was before your birth, and concerneth you no more.

Friendship is the highest degree of perfection in society.

It has never occurred to me to wish for empire or royalty, nor for the eminence of those high and commanding fortunes. My aim lies not in that direction; I love myself too well.