Every man prefers virtue, when there is not some strong incitement to transgress its precepts.

Every man is of importance to himself, and, therefore, in his own opinion, to others; and, supposing the world already acquainted with his pleasures and his pains, is perhaps the first to publish injuries or misfortunes which had never been known unless related by himself, and at which those that hear them will only laugh, for no man sympathises with the sorrows of vanity.

Such is the emptiness of human enjoyment that we are always impatient of the present. Attainment is followed by neglect, and possession by disgust.

..to write and to live are very different. Many who praise virtue, do no more than praise it.

I am always sorry when any language is lost, because languages are the pedigrees of nations.

His death eclipsed the gayety of nations, and impoverished the public stock of harmless pleasure.

The most Heterogeneous ideas are yoked by violence together.