Too much vigor in the beginning of an undertaking often intercepts and prevents the steadiness and perseverance always necessary in the conduct of a complicated scheme.

Every man prefers virtue, when there is not some strong incitement to transgress its precepts.

For life affords no higher pleasure, than that of surmounting difficulties, passing from one step of success to another, forming new wishes and seeing them gratified. He that labours in any great or laudable undertaking, has his fatigues first supported by hope, and afterwards rewarded by joy... To strive with difficulties, and to conquer them, is the highest human felicity.

It is necessary to the success of flattery, that it be accommodated to particular circumstances or characters, and enter the heart on that side where the passions are ready to receive it.

Truth, Sir, is a cow which will yield such people no more milk, and so they are gone to milk the bull.

You can never be wise unless you love reading.

We owe to memory not only the increase of our knowledge, and our progress in rational inquiries, but many other intellectual pleasures