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

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

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

He who receives a benefit should never forget it; he who bestows should never remember it.

He that boasts of his ancestors confesses that he has no virtue of his own. No person ever lived for our honor; nor ought that to be reputed ours, which was long before we had a being; for what advantage can it be to a blind man to know that his parents had good eyes? Does he see one whit the better?

Gratitude is a virtue disposing the mind to an inward sense and an outward acknowledgment of a benefit received, together with a readiness to return the same, or the like, as occasions of the doer of it shall require, and the abilities of the receiver extend to. He who receives a good turn, should never forget it: he who does one, should never remember it.

Gratitude is a duty none can be excused from, because it is always at our own disposal.