In such a government as ours no man is appointed to an office because he is the fittest for it--nor hardly in any other government--because there are so many connections and dependencies to be studied.

Surely a long life must be somewhat tedious, since we are forced to call in so many trifling things to help rid us of our time, which will never return.

Everybody loves to have things which please the palate put in their way, without trouble or preparation.

The whole world is put in motion by the wish for riches and the dread of poverty.

Philosophers there are who try to make themselves believe that this life is happy; but they believe it only while they are saying it, and never yet produced conviction in a single mind.

Those that have done nothing in life, are not qualified to judge of those that have done little

A Scotchman must be a very sturdy moralist who does not love Scotland better than truth.