There is nothing more despicable than an old man who has no other proof than his age to offer of his having lived long in the world.

The greatest chastisement that a man may receive who hath outraged another, is to have done the outrage; and there is no man who is so rudely punished as he that is subject to the whip of his own repentance.

Retirement without literary amusements is death itself, and a living tomb.

Reason wishes that the judgement it gives be just; anger wishes that the judgement it has given seem to be just.

The wise man will not pardon any crime that ought to be punished, but he will accomplish, in a nobler way, all that is sought in pardoning. He will spare some and watch over some, because of their youth, and others on account of their ignorance. His clemency will not fall short of justice, but will fulfill it perfectly.

He who boasts of his pedigree praises that which does not belong to him.

We most often go astray on a well trodden and much frequented road.