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

There is no observation more frequently made by such as employ themselves in surveying the conduct of mankind, than that marriage, though the dictate of nature, and the institution of Providence, is yet very often the cause of misery, and that those who enter into that state can seldom forbear to express their repentance, and their envy of those whom either chance or caution hath withheld from it.

No one is much pleased with a companion who does not increase, in some respect, their fondness for themselves.

There is no crime more infamous than the violation of truth. It is apparent that men can be social beings no longer than they believe each other. When speech is employed only as the vehicle of falsehood, every man must disunite himself from others, inhabit his own cave and seek prey only for himself.

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.

In order that all men might be taught to speak truth, it is necessary that all likewise should learn to hear it.

All envy would be extinguished, if it were universally known that there are none to be envied.