Do not discourage your children from hoarding, if they have a taste to it; whoever lays up his penny rather than part with it for a cake, at least is not the slave of gross appetite; and shows besides a preference always to be esteemed, of the future to the present moment.

We are unreasonably desirous to separate the goods of life from those evils which Providence has connected with them, and to catch advantages without paying the price at which they are offered to us. Every man wishes to be rich, but very few have the powers necessary to raise a sudden fortune, either by new discoveries, or by superiority of skill in any necessary employment; and among lower understandings many want the firmness and industry requisite to regular gain and gradual acquisitions.

Our desires always increase with our possessions. The knowledge that something remains yet unenjoyed impairs our enjoyment of the good before us.

He that thinks he can afford to be negligent is not far from being poor.

This man [Chesterfield], I thought, had been a Lord among wits; but I find he is only a wit among Lords.

The relief of enemies has a tendency to unite mankind in fraternal affection.

Age looks with anger on the temerity of youth, and youth with contempt on the scrupulosity of age.