...nothing is so entirely admirable as a man bravely wretched.

Those that are a friend to themselves are sure to be a friend to all.

Before old age I took care to live well; in old age I take care to die well; but to die well is to die willingly.

A thing seriously pursued affords true enjoyment.

Light is that grief which counsel can allay.

No man is nobler born than another, unless he is born with better abilities and a more amiable disposition. They who make such a parade with their family pictures and pedigrees, are, properly speaking, rather to be called noted or notorious than noble persons. I thought it right to say this much, in order to repel the insolence of men who depend entirely upon chance and accidental circumstances for distinction, and not at all on public services and personal merit.

Humanity is fortunate, because no man is unhappy except by his own fault.