The worship most acceptable to God comes from a thankful and cheerful heart.

The superstitious man wishes he did not believe in gods, as the atheist does not, but fears to disbelieve in them.

And Archimedes, as he was washing, thought of a manner of computing the proportion of gold in King Hiero's crown by seeing the water flowing over the bathing-stool. He leaped up as one possessed or inspired, crying, "I have found it! Eureka!".

The same intelligence is required to marshal an army in battle and to order a good dinner. The first must be as formidable as possible, the second as pleasant as possible, to the participants.

The most glorious exploits do not always furnish us with the clearest discoveries of virtue or vice in men.

He who least likes courting favour, ought also least to think of resenting neglect; to feel wounded at being refused a distinction can only arise from an overweening appetite to have it.

The mind is not a vessel to be filled but a fire to be kindled.