Small debts are like small shot; they are rattling on every side, and can scarcely be escaped without a wound: great debts are like cannon; of loud noise, but little danger.

Since every man is obliged to promote happiness and virtue, he should be careful not to mislead unwary minds, by appearing to set too high a value upon things by which no real excellence is conferred.

We are inclined to believe those whom we do not know because they have never deceived us.

To prevent evil is the great end of government, the end for which vigilance and severity are properly employed.

If we require more perfection from women than from ourselves, it is doing them honor.

Laws teach us to know when we commit injury and when we suffer it.

No man will be a sailor who has contrivance enough to get himself into a jail; for being in a ship is being in a jail, with the chance of being drowned... a man in a jail has more room, better food, and commonly better company.