All imposture weakens confidence and chills benevolence.

The vanity of being known to be trusted with a secret is generally one of the chief motives to disclose it.

The blaze of reputation cannot be blown out, but it often dies in the socket; a very few names may be considered as perpetual lamps that shine unconsumed.

Prosperity's right hand is industry and her left hand is frugality.

How can children credit the assertions of parents, which their own eyes show them to be false? Few parents act in such a manner as much to enforce their maxims by the credit of their lives

Life, to be worthy of a rational being, must be always in progression; we must always purpose to do more or better than in time past.

Man is a transitory being, and his designs must partake of the imperfections their author.