Minds that are stupid and incapable of science are in the order of nature to be regarded as monsters and other extraordinary phenomena; minds of this sort are rare. Hence I conclude that there are great resources to be found in children, which are suffered to vanish with their years. It is evident, therefore, that it is not of nature, but of our own negligence, we ought to complain.

Give me the boy who rouses when he is praised, who profits when he is encouraged and who cries when he is defeated. Such a boy will be fired by ambition; he will be stung by reproach, and animated by preference; never shall I apprehend any bad consequences from idleness in such a boy.

Ambition is a vice, but it may be the father of virtue.

A liar ought to have a good memory.

By writing quickly we are not brought to write well, but by writing well we are brought to write quickly.

That which offends the ear will not easily gain admission to the mind.

A Woman who is generous with her money is to be praised; not so, if she is generous with her person