There is no opposing brutal force to the stratagems of human reason.

If we should cease to be generous and charitable because another is sordid and ungrateful, it would be much in the power of vice to extinguish Christian virtues.

Pretences go a great way with men that take fair words and magisterial looks for current payment.

It is a way of calling a man a fool when no attention is given to what he says.

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?

He that contemns a shrew to the degree of not descending to words with her does worse than beat her.

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