Pity is not natural to man. Children are always cruel. Savages are always cruel. Pity is acquired and improved by the cultivation of reason. We may have uneasy sensations from seeing a creature in distress, without pity; for we have not pity unless we wish to relieve them.

Men are like stone jugs - you may lug them where you like by the ears.

It is a maxim that no man was ever enslaved by influence while he was fit to be free.

The business of life is to go forward.

There are certain topicks which are never exhausted. Of some images and sentiments the mind of man may be said to be enamoured; it meets them, however often they occur, with the same ardour which a lover feels at the sight of his mistress, and parts from them with the same regret when they can no longer be enjoyed.

A man may be very sincere in good principles, without having good practice.

Courtesy and good-humour are often found with little real worth.