We rise to fortune by successive steps; we descend by only one.

Conscience warns us as a friend before it punishes us as a judge.

We are usually mistaken in esteeming men too much; rarely in esteeming them too little.

He who fears death dies every time he thinks of it.

The Word of God proves the truth of religion; the corruption of man, its necessity; government, its advantages.

Those who ought to be secure from calumny are generally those who avoid it least.

Politeness has been defined to be artificial good-nature; but we may affirm, with much greater propriety, that good-nature is natural politeness.