Men talk as if they believed in God, but they live as if they thought there was none; their vows and promises are no more than words, of course.

The very soul of the slothful does effectually but lie drowsing in his body, and the whole man is totally given up to his senses.

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.

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

Much tongue and much judgment seldom go together.

A body may well lay too little as too much stress upon a dream; but the less he heed them the better.

Nothing is so fierce but love will soften; nothing so sharp-sighted in other matters but it will throw a mist before its eyes.