It is better that some should be unhappy rather than that none should be happy, which would be the case in a general state of equality.

That observation which is called knowledge of the world will be found much more frequently to make men cunning than good.

Idleness is often covered by turbulence and hurry. He that neglects his known duty and real employment naturally endeavours to crowd his mind with something that may bar out the remembrance of his own folly, and does any thing but what he ought to do with eager diligence, that he may keep himself in his own favour.

Nature has given women so much power that the law has very wisely given them little.

Even those to whom Providence has allotted greater strength of understanding, can expect only to improve a single science. In every other part of learning, they must be content to follow opinions, which they are not able to examine; and, even in that which they claim as peculiarly their own, can seldom add more than some small particle of knowledge, to the hereditary stock devolved to them from ancient times, the collective labour of a thousand intellects.

There is nothing against which an old man should be so much upon his guard as putting himself to nurse.

Prepare for death, if here at night you roam, and sign your will before you sup from home.