There is no royal road or ready way to virtue.

Where we desire to be informed 'tis good to contest with men above ourselves; but to confirm and establish our opinions, 'tis best to argue with judgments below our own, that the frequent spoils and victories over their reasons may settle in ourselves an esteem and confirmed opinion of our own.

We term sleep a death, and yet it is waking that kills us, and destroys those spirits that are the house of life.

If riches increase, let thy mind hold pace with them; and think it not enough to be liberal, but munificent.

Man is a noble animal, splendid in ashes, and pompous in the grave.

Life itself is but the shadow of death, and souls departed but the shadows of the living.

Yes, even amongst wiser militants, how many wounds have been given, and credits slain, for the poor victory of an opinion, or beggarly conquest of a distinction.