That kind of life is most happy which affords us most opportunities of gaining our own esteem.

It matters not how a man dies, but how he lives. The act of dying is not of importance, it lasts so short a time.

Long customs are not easily broken; he that attempts to change the course of his own life very often labors in vain; and how shall we do that for others, which we are seldom able to do for ourselves.

Avarice is always poor.

To prevent evil is the great end of government, the end for which vigilance and severity are properly employed.

There is nothing which has yet been contrived by man, by which so much happiness is produced as by a good tavern.

Where no man thinks himself under any obligation to submit to another, and, instead of co-operating in one great scheme, every one hastens through by-paths to private profit, no great change can suddenly be made; nor is superior knowledge of much effect, where every man resolves to use his own eyes and his own judgment, and every one applauds his own dexterity and diligence, in proportion as he becomes rich sooner than his neighbour.