Many take pleasure in spreading abroad the weakness of an exalted character.

That man never grows old who keeps a child in his heart

There is hardly that person to be found who is not more concerned for the reputation of wit and sense, than honesty and virtue.

Compassion does not only refine and civilize human nature, but has something in it more pleasing and agreeable, than what can be met with in such an indolent happiness, such an indifference to mankind, as that in which the stoics placed their wisdom. As love is the most delightful passion, pity is nothing else but love softened by a degree of sorrow: In short, it is a kind of pleasing anguish, anguish as well as generous sympathy, that knits mankind together, and blends them in the same common lot.

It is a certain sign of an ill heart to be inclined to defamation. They who are harmless and innocent can have no gratification that way; but it ever arises from a neglect of what is laudable in a man's self.

Among all the diseases of the mind there is not one more epidemical or more pernicious than the love of flattery.

Fire and swords are slow engines of destruction, compared to the tongue of a Gossip.