There is such a difference between the pursuits of men in great cities that one part of the inhabitants lives to little other purpose than to wonder at the rest. Some have hopes and fears, wishes and aversions, which never enter into the thoughts of others, and inquiry is laboriously exerted to gain that which those who possess it are ready to throw away.

To grieve for evils is often wrong; but it is much more wrong to grieve without them. All sorrow that lasts longer than its cause is morbid, and should be shaken off as an attack of melancholy, as the forerunner of a greater evil than poverty or pain.

A little knowledge is a dangerous thing - it only hastens fools to rush in where angels fear to tread.

The natural flights of the human mind are not from pleasure to pleasure, but from hope to hope.

Surely, it is much easier to respect a man who has always had respect, than to respect a man who we know was last year no better than ourselves, and will be no better next year.

Patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel.

Exert your talents, and distinguish yourself, and don't think of retiring from the world, until the world will be sorry that you retire.