If a man is in doubt whether it would be better for him to expose himself to martyrdom or not, he should not do it. He must be convinced that he has a delegation from heaven.

The greatest part of a writer's time is spent in reading in order to write. A man will turn over half a library to make a book.

Sir, he throws away his money without thought and without merit. I do not call a tree generous that sheds its fruit at every breeze.

To do nothing is in everyone's power.

Indolence is the devil's cushion.

It is our first duty to serve society.

It is generally allowed, that no man ever found the happiness of possession proportionate to that expectation which incited his desire, and invigorated his pursuit; nor has any man found the evils of life so formidable in reality, as they were described to him by his own imagination; every species of distress brings with it some peculiar supports, some unforeseen means of resisting, or powers of enduring.