Whoever rises above those who once pleased themselves with equality, will have many malevolent gazers at his eminence.

Rain is good for vegetables, and for the animals who eat those vegetables, and for the animals who eat those animals.

There prevails among men of letters, an opinion, that all appearance of science is particularly hateful to Women; and that therefore whoever desires to be well received in female assemblies, must qualify himself by a total rejection of all that is serious, rational, or important; must consider argument or criticism as perpetually interdicted; and devote all his attention to trifles, and all his eloquence to compliment.

To excite opposition and inflame malevolence is the unhappy privilege of courage made arrogant by consciousness of strength.

It is the quality of patriotism to be jealous and watchful, to observe all secret machinations, and to see publick dangers at a distance. The true lover of his country is ready to communicate his fears, and to sound the alarm, whenever he perceives the approach of mischief. But he sounds no alarm, when there is no enemy; he never terrifies his countrymen till he is terrified himself. The patriotism, therefore, may be justly doubted of him, who professes to be disturbed by incredibilities.

He that would be superior to external influences must first become superior to his own passions.

The business of life is to go forward.