Very few live by choice. Every man is placed in his present condition by causes which acted without his foresight, and with which he did not always willingly cooperate; and therefore you will rarely meet one who does not think the lot of his neighbor better than his own.

Wretched un-idea'd girls.

All imposture weakens confidence and chills benevolence.

Knowledge always desires increase, it is like fire, which must first be kindled by some external agent, but which will afterwards propagate itself.

When a man knows he is to be hanged in a fortnight, it concentrates his mind wonderfully.

We seldom require more to the happiness of the present hour than to surpass him that stands next before us.

Men more frequently require to be reminded than informed.