Nature makes us buy her presents at the price of so many sufferings that it is doubtful whether she deserves most the name of parent or stepmother.

We neglect those things which are under our very eyes, and heedless of things within our grasp, pursue those which are afar off.

Hope is the pillar that holds up the world. Hope is the dream of a waking man.

Suicide is a privilege of man which deity does not possess.

In time of sickness the soul collects itself anew.

The desire to know a thing is heightened by its gratification being deferred.

The largest land animal is the elephant, and it is the nearest to man in intelligence: it understands the language of its country and obeys orders, remembers duties that it has been taught, is pleased by affection and by marks of honour, nay more it possesses virtues rare even in man, honesty, wisdom, justice, also respect for the stars and reverence for the sun and moon.