What a strange narrowness of mind now is that, to think the things we have not known are better than the things we have known.

Misfortunes should always be expected.

There must always be some advantage on one side or the other, and it is better that advantage should be had by talents than by chance.

Love is the wisdom of the fool and the folly of the wise.

He that is already corrupt is naturally suspicious, and he that becomes suspicious will quickly become corrupt.

People need to be reminded more often than they need to be instructed.

Spring is the season of gaiety, and winter of terror; in spring the heart of tranquility dances to the melody of the groves, and the eye of benevolence sparkles at the sight of happiness and plenty: in winter, compassion melts at universal calamity, and the tear of softness starts at the wailing of hunger and the cries of the creation in distress