Mutability is the badge of infirmity. It is seldom that a man continues to wish and design the same thing two days alike. Now he is for marrying; and now a mistress is preferred to a wife. Now he is ambitious and aspiring; presently the meanest servant is not more humble than he. This hour he squanders his money away; the next he turns miser. Sometimes he is frugal and serious; at other times profuse, airy, and gay.

The true science and study of mankind is man.

[Envy not for...] Whatever difference there may appear to be in men's fortunes, there is still a certain compensation of good and ill in all, that makes them equal.

Pleasure and pain, though directly opposite, are yet so contrived by nature as to be constant companions; and it is a fact that the same motions and muscles of the face are employed both in laughing and crying.

God, Nature, the wise, the world, preach man, exhort him both by word and deed to the study of himself.

Great towns are but a large sort of prison to the soul; like cages to birds, or pounds to beasts.

Riches should be admitted into our houses, but not into our hearts; we may take them into our possession, but not into our affections.