There is not one grain in the universe, either too much or too little, nothing to be added, nothing to be spared; nor so much as any one particle of it, that mankind may not be either the better or the worse for, according as it is applied.

What man in his right senses, that has wherewithal to live free, would make himself a slave for superfluities? What does that man want who has enough? Or what is he the better for abundance that can never be satisfied.

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.

All duties are matters of conscience, with this restriction that a superior obligation suspends the force of an inferior one.

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?

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

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