Misery is caused for the most part, not by a heavy crush of disaster, but by the corrosion of less visible evils, which canker enjoyment, and undermine security. The visit of an invader is necessarily rare, but domestic animosities allow no cessation.

Every old man complains of the growing depravity of the world, of the petulance and insolence of the rising generation.

Inquiries into the heart are not for man.

Hunger is never delicate; they who are seldom gorged to the full with praise may be safely fed with gross compliments, for the appetite must be satisfied before it is disgusted.

Misery and shame are nearly allied.

It seems to be remarkable that death increases our veneration for the good, and extenuates our hatred for the bad.

The supreme end of education is expert discernment in all things-the power to tell the good from the bad, the genuine from the counterfeit, and to prefer the good and the genuine to the bad and the counterfeit.