Prudence is an attitude that keeps life safe, but does not often make it happy.

Ignorance, when it is voluntary, is criminal.

A wise man is cured of ambition by ambition itself; his aim is so exalted that riches, office, fortune and favour cannot satisfy him.

The specualtist, who is not content with superficial views, harasses himself with fruitless curiosity; and still, as he inquires more, perceives only that he knows less.

Being married to those sleepy-souled women is just like playing at cards for nothing: no passion is excited and the time is filled up. I do not, however, envy a fellow one of those honeysuckle wives for my part, as they are but creepers at best and commonly destroy the tree they so tenderly cling about.

It is surely very narrow policy that supposes money to be the chief good.

A thousand years may elapse before there shall appear another man with a power of versification equal to that of Pope.