There is not much less vexation in the government of a private family than in the managing of an entire state.

To say less of yourself than is true is stupidity, not modesty. To pay yourself less than you are worth is cowardice and pusillanimity.

Since we cannot attain unto it, let us revenge ourselves by railing at it; and yet it is not absolutely railing against anything, to proclaim its defects, because they are in all things to be found, how beautiful or how much to be coveted soever.

It needs good management to enjoy life. I enjoy it twice as much as others, for the measure of enjoyment depends on the greater or less attention that we give to it...The shorter my possession of life the deeper and fuller I must make it.

Every man may speak truly, but to speak methodically, prudently, and fully is a talent that few men have.

If I can, I shall keep my death from saying anything that my life has not already said.

We find our energies are actually cramped when we are overanxious to succeed.