He is the best sailor who can steer within fewest points of the wind, and exact a motive power out of the greatest obstacles.

The rose is fairest when 't is budding new, And hope is brightest when it dawns from fears. The rose is sweetest wash'd with morning dew, And love is loveliest when embalm'd in tears.

The lover's pleasure, like that of the hunter, is in the chase, and the brightest beauty loses half its merit, as the flower its perfume, when the willing hand can reach it too easily. There must be doubt; there must be difficulty and danger.

Fortune may raise up or abuse the ordinary mortal, but the sage and the soldier should have minds beyond her control.

Ridicule often checks what is absurd, and fully as often smothers that which is noble.

Covetousness bursts the sack and spills the grain.

Blessed be his name, who hath appointed the quiet night to follow the busy day, and the calm sleep to refresh the wearied limbs and to compose the troubled spirit.