It is no hard matter to get children; but after they are born, then begins the trouble, solicitude, and care rightly to train, principle, and bring them up.

We commend a horse for his strength, and sureness of foot, and not for his rich caparisons; a greyhound for his share of heels, not for his fine collar; a hawk for her wing, not for her jesses and bells. Why, in like manner, do we not value a man for what is properly his own? He has a great train, a beautiful palace, so much credit, so many thousand pounds a year, and all these are about him, but not in him.

When I am attached by gloomy thoughts, nothing helps me so much as running to my books. They quickly absorb me and banish the clouds from my mind.

The most profound joy has more of gravity than of gaiety in it.

The study of books is a drowsy and feeble exercise which does not warm you up.

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.

Stupidity and wisdom meet in the same centre of sentiment and resolution, in the suffering of human accidents.