Few men survey themselves with so much severity as not to admit prejudices in their own favour, which an artful flatterer may gradually strengthen, till wishes for a particular qualification are improved to hopes of attainment, and hopes of attainment to belief of possession.

Inquiries into the heart are not for man.

In Shakespeare's plays, the mourner hastening to bury his friend is all the time colliding with the reveller hastening to his wine.

Were it not for imagination a man would be as happy in the arms of a chambermaid as of a duchess.

Leisure and curiosity might soon make great advances in useful knowledge, were they not diverted by minute emulation and laborious trifles.

Happiness consists in the multiplicity of agreeable consciousness.

As long as one lives he will have need of repentance.