Cunning has effect from the credulity of others, rather than from the abilities of those who are cunning. It requires no extraordinary talents to lie and deceive.

Virtue is too often merely local.

It is however, reasonable, to have perfection in our eye; that we may always advance towards it, though we know it never can be reached.

The friendship which is to be practised or expected by common mortals, must take its rise from mutual pleasure, and must end when the power ceases of delighting each other.

The joy of life is variety; the tenderest love requires to be rekindled by intervals of absence.

To be of no church is dangerous. Religion, of which the rewards are distant, and which is animated only by faith and hope, will glide by degrees out of the mind unless it be invigorated and reimpressed by external ordinances, by stated calls to worship, and the salutary influence of example.

To neglect at any time preparation for death is to sleep on our post at a siege; to omit it in old age is to sleep at an attack.