It is wonderful to think how men of very large estates not only spend their yearly income, but are often actually in want of money. It is clear, they have not value for what they spend.

The hostility perpetually exercised between one man and another, is caused by the desire of many for that which only few can possess. Every man would be rich, powerful, and famous; yet fame, power, and riches, are only the names of relative conditions, which imply the obscurity, dependence, and poverty of greater numbers.

Locke, whom there is no reason to suspect of being a favorer of idleness or libertinism, has advanced that whoever hopes to employ any part of his time with efficacy and vigor must allow some of it to pass with trifles.

There is in this world no real delight (excepting those of sensuality), but exchange of ideas in conversation.

Extended empires are like expanded gold, exchanging solid strength for feeble splendor.

Being reproached for giving to an unworthy person, Aristotle said, I did not give it to the man, but to humanity.

We are not here to sell a parcel of boilers and vats, but the potentiality of growing rich beyond the dreams of avarice.