The gratification which affluence of wealth, extent of power, and eminence of reputation confer, must be always, by their own nature, confined to a very small number; and the life of the greater part of mankind must be lost in empty wishes and painful comparisons, were not the balm of philosophy shed upon us, and our discontent at the appearances of unequal distribution soothed and appeased.

Kindness is in our power, even when fondness is not.

There is a frightful interval between the seed and the timber.

This is my history; like all other histories, a narrative of misery.

It seems to be remarkable that death increases our veneration for the good, and extenuates our hatred for the bad.

He who would bring home the wealth of the Indies must carry the wealth of the Indies with him.

Life is a pill which none of us can bear to swallow without gilding.