The common people do not accurately adapt their thoughts to objects; nor, secondly, do they accurately adapt their words to their thoughts; they do not mean to lie; but, taking no pains to be exact, they give you very false accounts. A great part of their language is proverbial; if anything rocks at all, they say it rocks like a cradle; and in this way they go on.

Ignorance cannot always be inferred from inaccuracy; knowledge is not always present.

Trust as little as you can to report, and examine all you can by your own senses.

Riches exclude only one inconvenience,--that is, poverty.

The greatest part of a writer's time is spent in reading in order to write. A man will turn over half a library to make a book.

The maxim of Cleobulus, "Mediocrity is best," has been long considered a universal principle, extending through the whole compass of life and nature. The experience of every age seems to have given it new confirmation, and to show that nothing, however specious or alluring, is pursued with propriety or enjoyed with safety beyond certain limits.

Lawful and settled authority is very seldom resisted when it is well employed.