He who would govern his actions by the laws of virtue must regulate his thoughts by those of reason.

Nothing is little to him that feels it with great sensibility.

Nothing flatters a man as much as the happiness of his wife; he is always proud of himself as the source of it.

Falsehood always endeavors to copy the mien and attitude of truth.

Every government is perpetually degenerating towards corruption, from which it must be rescued at certain periods by the resuscitation of its first principles, and the re-establishment of its original constitution.

There are goods so opposed that we cannot seize both, but, by too much prudence, may pass between them at too great a distance to reach either.

There is such a difference between the pursuits of men in great cities that one part of the inhabitants lives to little other purpose than to wonder at the rest. Some have hopes and fears, wishes and aversions, which never enter into the thoughts of others, and inquiry is laboriously exerted to gain that which those who possess it are ready to throw away.