Men indulge those opinions and practices that favor their pretensions.

Figure-flingers and star-gazers pretend to foretell the fortunes of kingdoms, and have no foresight in what concerns themselves.

Ingratitude is abhorred by God and man.

It is one of the vexatious mortifications of a studious man to have his thoughts disordered by a tedious visit.

Intemperate wits will spare neither friend nor foe, and make themselves the common enemies of mankind.

To be longing for this thing to-day and for that thing to-morrow; to change likings for loathings, and to stand wishing and hankering at a venture--how is it possible for any man to be at rest in this fluctuant, wandering humor and opinion?

A plodding diligence brings us sooner to our journey's end than a fluttering way of advancing by starts.