We must calculate not on the weather, nor on fortune, but upon God and ourselves. He may fail us in the gratification of our wishes, but never in the encounter with our exigencies.

Vanity is so constantly solicitous of self, that even where its own claims are not interested, it indirectly seeks the aliment which it loves, by showing how little is deserved by others.

Modesty is policy, no less than virtue.

What we call vice in our neighbor may be nothing less than a crude virtue. To him who knows nothing more of precious stones than he can learn from a daily contemplation of his breastpin, a diamond in the mine must be a very uncompromising sort of stone.

There is no doubt such a thing as chance, but I see no reason why Providence should not make use of it.

The effect of character is always to command consideration. We sport and toy and laugh with men or women who have none, but we never confide in them.

He who would acquire fame must not show himself afraid of censure. The dread of censure is the death of genius.