If a man knows not life which he hath seen, how shall he know death, which he hath not seen?

The foundations which we would dig about and find are within us, like the kingdom of heaven, rather than without.

There is no permanent absolute unchangeable truth; what we should pursue is the most convenient arrangement of our ideas.

Neither have they hearts to stay, nor wit enough to run away.

It is not sufficiently considered in the hour of exultation, that all human excellence is comparative; that no man performs much but in proportion to what other accomplish, or to the time and opportunities which have been allowed him.

When the water of a place is bad it is safest to drink none that has not been filtered through either the berry of a grape, or else a tub of malt. These are the most reliable filters yet invented.

The extremes of vice and virtue are alike detestable, and absolute virtue is as sure to kill a man as absolute vice is.