We are more pained by ignorance than delighted by instruction.

Then with no throbs of fiery pain, No cold gradations of decay, Death broke at once the vital chain, And freed his soul the nearest way.

Even those to whom Providence has allotted greater strength of understanding, can expect only to improve a single science. In every other part of learning, they must be content to follow opinions, which they are not able to examine; and, even in that which they claim as peculiarly their own, can seldom add more than some small particle of knowledge, to the hereditary stock devolved to them from ancient times, the collective labour of a thousand intellects.

The first step to greatness is to be honest.

To hear complaints with patience, even when complaints are vain, is one of the duties of friendship.

Mutual cowardice keeps us in peace.

Round numbers are always false.