You may translate books of science exactly. ... The beauties of poetry cannot be preserved in any language except that in which it was originally written.

Gratitude is a species of justice.

Men are like stone jugs - you may lug them where you like by the ears.

Among the innumerable mortifications which waylay human arrogance on every side may well be reckoned our ignorance of the most common objects and effects, a defect of which we become more sensible by every attempt to supply it. Vulgar and inactive minds confound familiarity with knowledge and conceive themselves informed of the whole nature of things when they are shown their form or told their use; but the speculatist, who is not content with superficial views, harasses himself with fruitless curiosity, and still, as he inquires more, perceives only that he knows less.

As a madman is apt to think himself grown suddenly great, so he that grows suddenly great is apt to borrow a little from the madman.

No man can fall into contempt but those who deserve it.

He that never thinks can never be wise.