The English laws punish vice; the Chinese laws do more, they reward virtue.

To what fortuitous occurrence do we not owe every pleasure and convenience of our lives.

The first blow is half the battle.

It is impossible to combat enthusiasm with reason; for though it makes a show of resistance, it soon eludes the pressure, refers you to distinctions not to be understood, and feelings which it cannot explain. A man who would endeavor to fix an enthusiast by argument might as well attempt to spread quicksilver with his finger.

Don't let us make imaginary evils, when you know we have so many real ones to encounter.

When any one of our relations was found to be a person of a very bad character, a troublesome guest, or one we desired to get rid of, upon his leaving my house I ever took care to lend him a riding-coat, or a pair of boots, or sometimes a horse of small value, and I always had the satisfaction of finding he never came back to return them.

Silence is become his mother tongue.