Those men who are commended by everybody must be very extraordinary men; or, which is more probable, very inconsiderable men.

Good-humor will sometimes conquer ill-humor, but ill-humor will conquer it oftener; and for this plain reason, good-humor must operate on generosity, ill-humor on meanness.

Respect is better procured by exacting than soliciting it.

We laugh heartily to see a whole flock of sheep jump because one did so. Might not one imagine that superior beings do the same, and for exactly the same reason?

Avarice starves its possessor to fatten those who come after, and who are eagerly awaiting the demise of the accumulator.

True joy is only hope put out of fear.

I hardly know a sight that raises one's indignation more than that of an enlarged soul joined to a contracted fortune; unless it be that so much more common one, of a contracted soul joined to an enlarged fortune.