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

Except during the nine months before he draws his first breath, no man manages his affairs as well as a tree. We are inclined to believe those whom we do not know because they have never deceived us.

By those who look close to the ground dirt will be seen. I hope I see things from a greater distance.

There must always be some advantage on one side or the other, and it is better that advantage should be had by talents than by chance.

A man who always talks for fame never can be pleasing. The man who talks to unburthen his mind is the man to delight you.

No evil is insupportable but that which is accompanied with consciousness of wrong.

I would rather be attacked than unnoticed. For the worst thing you can do to an author is to be silent as to his works.