The mind is seldom quickened to very vigorous operations but by pain, or the dread of pain. We do not disturb ourselves with the detection of fallacies which do us no harm.

The world will never be long without some good reason to hate the unhappy; their real faults are immediately detected; and if those are not sufficient to sink them into infamy, an individual weight of calumny will be super-added.

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

Oats. A grain, which in England is generally given to horses, but in Scotland supports the people.

Dogs have not the power of comparing. A dog will take a small piece of meat as readily as a large, when both are before him.

Differences, we know, are never so effectually laid asleep as by some common calamity; an enemy unites all to whom he threatens danger.

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