Some read books only with a view to find fault, while others read only to be taught; the former are like venomous spiders, extracting a poisonous quality, where the latter, like the bees, sip out a sweet and profitable juice.

So long as we stand in need of a benefit, there is nothing dearer to us; nor anything cheaper when we have received it.

Tis not necessity, but opinion, that makes men miserable; and when we come to be fancy-sick, there's no cure.

We never think of the main business of life till a vain repentance minds us of it at the wrong end.

The common people do not judge of vice or virtue by morality or immorality, so much as by the stamp that is set upon it by men of figure.

The lowest boor may laugh on being tickled, but a man must have intelligence to be amused by wit.

Passions, as fire and water, are good servants, but bad masters, and subminister to the best and worst purposes.