To forget, or pretend to do so, to return a borrowed article, is the meanest sort of petty theft.

You cannot spend money in luxury without doing good to the poor. Nay, you do more good to them by spending it in luxury, than by giving it; for by spending it in luxury, you make them exert industry, whereas by giving it, you keep them idle.

It is however, reasonable, to have perfection in our eye; that we may always advance towards it, though we know it never can be reached.

All severity that does not tend to increase good, or prevent evil, is idle.

Gratitude is a fruit of great cultivation; you do not find it among gross people.

Wisdom and virtue are by no means sufficient, without the supplemental laws of good-breeding, to secure freedom from degenerating into rudeness, or self esteem from swelling into insolence. A thousand incivilities may be committed, and a thousand offices neglected. without any remorse of conscience, or reproach from reason.

Poverty has, in large cities, very different appearances; it is often concealed in splendour, and often in extravagance.