The finest lives in my opinion are the common model, without miracle and without extravagance.

The most regular and most perfect soul in the world has but too much to do to keep itself upright from being overthrown by its own weakness.

Confidence in others' honesty is no light testimony of one's own integrity.

Wisdom is a solid and entire building, of which every piece keeps its place and bears its mark.

Decency, not to dare to do that in public which it is decent enough to do in private.

Nature has with a Motherly Tenderness observed this, that the Action she has enjoyned us for our Necessity should be also pleasant to us, and invites us to them, not only by Reason, but also by Appetite: and ’tis Injustice to infringe her Laws.

It is an injustice that an old, broken, half-dead father should enjoy alone, in a corner of his hearth, possessions that would suffice for the advancement and maintenance of many children.