The eye of the mind, like that of the body, can only extend its view to new objects, by losing sight of those which are now before it.

It is certain that success naturally confirms in us a favourable opinion of our own abilities. Scarce any man is willing to allot to accident, friendship, and a thousand causes, which concur in every event without human contrivance or interposition, the part which they may justly claim in his advancement. We rate ourselves by our fortune rather than our virtues, and exorbitant claims are quickly produced by imaginary merit.

If useless thoughts could be expelled from the mind, all the valuable parts of our knowledge would more frequently recur.

A lawyer has no business with the justice or injustice of the cause which he undertakes, unless his client asks his opinion, and then he is bound to give it honestly. The justice or injustice of the cause is to be decided by the judge.

The use of travelling is to regulate imagination by reality, and instead of thinking how things may be, to see them as they are.

Bashfulness may sometimes exclude pleasure, but seldom opens any avenue to sorrow or remorse.

Every one should consider himself as intrusted not only with his own conduct, but with that of others; and as accountable, not only for the duties which he neglects, or the crimes that he commits, but for that negligence and irregularity which he may encourage or inculcate. Every man, in whatever station, has, or endeavours to have his followers, admirers, and imitators, and has therefore the influence of his example to watch with care.