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.

Security will produce danger.

Solitude is dangerous to reason, without being favourable to virtue. Remember that the solitary mortal is certainly luxurious, probably superstitious, and possibly mad.

Nothing is more idle than to inquire after happiness, which nature has kindly placed within our reach.

Nothing concentrates one's mind so much as the realization that one is going to be hanged in the morning!

Too much vigor in the beginning of an undertaking often intercepts and prevents the steadiness and perseverance always necessary in the conduct of a complicated scheme.

To neglect at any time preparation for death is to sleep on our post at a siege; to omit it in old age is to sleep at an attack.