Curiosity is the thirst of the soul.

Prudence operates on life in the same manner as rule of composition; it produces vigilance rather than elevation; rather prevents loss than procures advantage; and often miscarriages, but seldom reaches either power or honor.

It is as bad as bad can be: it is ill-fed, ill-killed, ill-kept, and ill-drest.

Resentment is a union of sorrow with malignity; a combination of a passion which all endeavor to avoid with a passion which all concur to detest.

That kind of life is most happy which affords us most opportunities of gaining our own esteem.

Flattery pleases very generally. In the first place, the flatterer may think what he says to be true; but, in the second place, whether he thinks so or not, he certainly thinks those whom he flatters of consequence enough to be flattered.

Little would be wanting to the happiness of life, if every man could conform to the right as soon as he was shown it.