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?

Men indulge those opinions and practices that favor their pretensions.

Unruly ambition is deaf, not only to the advice of friends, but to the counsels and monitions of reason itself.

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.

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

Some people are all quality; you would think they are made up of nothing but title and genealogy. The stamp of dignity defaces in them the very character of humanity and transports them to such a degree of haughtiness that they reckon it below themselves to exercise either good nature or good manners.

He that upon a true principle lives, without any disquiet of thought, may be said to be happy.