We are the prisoners of ideas. They catch us up for moments into their heaven, and so fully engage us, that we take no thought forthe morrow, gaze like children, without an effort to make them our own.

We are disgusted by gossip; yet it is of importance to keep the angels in their proprieties.

Beside all the small reasons we assign, there is a great reason for the existence of every extant fact; a reason which lies grandand immovable, often unsuspected behind it in silence.

God never jests with us, and will not compromise the end of nature, by permitting any inconsequence in its procession.

It is always so pleasant to be generous, though very vexatious to pay debts.

Nothing in nature is exhausted in its first use...In God, every end is converted into a new means.

Wouldst thou shut up the avenues of ill, Pay every debt as if God wrote the bill.