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.

So different are the colors of life, as we look forward to the future, or backward to the past; and so different the opinions and sentiments which this contrariety of appearance naturally produces, that the conversation of the old and young ends generally with contempt or pity on either side.

Every human being whose mind is not debauched, will be willing to give all that he has to get knowledge.

Those who have any intention of deviating from the beaten roads of life, and acquiring a reputation superior to names hourly swept away by time among the refuse of fame, should add to their reason and their spirit the power of persisting in their pur

While an author is yet living, we estimate his powers by his worst performance; and when he is dead, we rate him by his best.

Wise married women don't trouble themselves about infidelity in their husbands.

A man who is good enough to go to heaven is good enough to be a clergyman.