It has been remarked that almost every character which has excited either attention or pity has owed part of its success to merit, and part to a happy concurrence of circumstances in its favor. Had Caesar or Cromwell exchanged countries, the one might have been a sergeant and the other an exciseman.

And what is friendship but a name, A charm that lulls to sleep, A shade that follows wealth or fame, And leaves the wretch to weep?

The way to acquire lasting esteem is not by the fewness of a writer's faults, but the greatness of his beauties, and our noblest works are generally most replete with both.

The fortunate circumstances of our lives are generally found, at last, to be of our own producing.

It has been well observed that few are better qualified to give others advice than those who have taken the least of it themselves.

Prudery is ignorance.

The hours we pass with happy prospects in view are more pleasing than those crowded with fruition.