A merchant may, perhaps, be a man of an enlarged mind, but there is nothing in trade connected with an enlarged mind.

He that floats lazily down the stream, in pursuit of something borne along by the same current, will find himself indeed moved forward; but unless he lays his hand to the oar, and increases his speed by his own labour, must be always at the same distance from that which he is following.

Where secrecy or mystery begins, vice or roguery is not far off.

To be flattered is grateful, even when we know that our praises are not believed by those who pronounce them; for they prove, at least, our power, and show that our favour is valued, since it is purchased by the meanness of falsehood.

There is reason to suspect, that the distinctions of mankind have more show than value, when it is found that all agree to be weary alike of pleasures and of cares; that the powerful and the weak, the celebrated and obscure, join in one common wish, and implore from nature's hand the nectar of oblivion.

A man who is good enough to go to heaven is good enough to be a clergyman.

The advice that is wanted is commonly not welcome and that which is not wanted, evidently an effrontery.