Wise men mingle mirth with their cares, as a help either to forget or overcome them; but to resort to intoxication for the ease of one's mind is to cure melancholy by madness.

Pleasure and pain, though directly opposite are contrived to be constant companions.

All religions are pieced together out of elements which seem so at odds with reason that any intelligence laughs at them.

To owe an obligation to a worthy friend is a happiness, and can be no disparagement.

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.

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

It is certainly much easier wholly to decline a passion than to keep it within just bounds and measures; and that which few can moderate almost anybody may prevent.