He that by harshness of nature rules his family with an iron hand is as truly a tyrant as he who misgoverns a nation.

The rust of the mind is the destruction of genius.

Nothing is so wretched or foolish as to anticipate misfortunes. What madness it is to be expecting evil before it comes.

Conversation has a kind of charm about it, an insuating and insidious something that elicits secrets from us just like love or liquor.

Human nature is so constituted that insults sink deeper than kindnesses; the remembrance of the latter soon passes away, while that of the former is treasured in the memory.

The hour which gives us life begins to take it away.

We should give as we would receive, cheerfully, quickly, and without hesitation; for there is no grace in a benefit that sticks to the fingers.