When the scale of sensuality bears down that of reason, the baseness of our nature conducts us to most preposterous conclusions.

A foolish man in wealth and authority is like a weak-timbered house with a too-ponderous roof.

It is better to be well deserving without praise than to live by the air of undeserved commendation.

There are no riches like the sweetness of content, nor poverty comparable to the want of patience.

Too much to lament a misery is the next way to draw on a remediless mischief.

Men are not rich or poor according to what they possess but to what they desire. The only rich man is he that with content enjoys a competence.

He that rectifies a crooked stick bends it the contrary way, so must he that would reform a vice learn to affect its mere contrary, and in time he shall see the springing blossoms of a happy restoration.