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

History can be formed from permanent monuments and records; but lives can only be written from personal knowledge, which is growing every day less, and in a short time is lost forever.

It is necessary to the success of flattery, that it be accommodated to particular circumstances or characters, and enter the heart on that side where the passions are ready to receive it.

Ease, a neutral state between pain and pleasure ... if it is not rising into pleasure will be falling towards pain.

Every man naturally persuades himself that he can keep his resolutions, nor is he convinced of his imbecility but by length of time and frequency of experiment.

No, Sir, you will have much more influence by giving or lending money where it is wanted, than by hospitality.

Money and time are the heaviest burdens of life, and... the unhappiest of all mortals are those who have more of either than they know how to use.