Some desire is necessary to keep life in motion, and he whose real wants are supplied must admit those of fancy.

Power is gradually stealing away from the many to the few, because the few are more vigilant and consistent.

While grief is fresh, every attempt to divert only irritates. You must wait till it be digested, and then amusement will dissipate the remains of it.

Preserve me from unseasonable and immoderate sleep.

Round numbers are always false.

Those who have no power to judge of past times but by their own, should always doubt their conclusions

The whole power of cunning is privative; to say nothing, and to do nothing , is the utmost of its reach. Yet men, thus narrow by nature and mean by art, are sometimes able to rise by the miscarriages of bravery and the openness of integrity, and, watching failures and snatching opportunities, obtain advantages which belong to higher characters.