No spiritual mind remains within itself; it is always aspiring and going beyond its own strength.

An ancient father says that a dog we know is better company than a man whose language we do not understand.

It is not necessity but abundance which produces greed.

Fear sometimes adds wings to the heels, and sometimes nails them to the ground, and fetters them from moving.

Not being able to govern events, I govern myself, and apply myself to them if they will not apply themselves to me.

What we are told of the inhabitants of Brazil, that they never die but of old age, is attributed to the tranquility and serenity of their climate; I rather attribute it to the tranquility and serenity of their souls, which are free from all passion, thought, or any absorbing and unpleasant labors. Those people spend their lives in an admirable simplicity and ignorance, without letters, without law, without king, without any manner of religion.

An able reader often discovers in other people's writings perfections beyond those that the author put in or perceived, and lends them richer meanings and aspects.