Society is a more level surface than we imagine. Wise men or absolute fools are hard to be met with, as there are few giants or dwarfs. The heaviest charge we can bring against the general texture of society is that it is commonplace. Our fancied superiority to others is in some one thing which we think most of because we excel in it, or have paid most attention to it; whilst we overlook their superiority to us in something else which they set equal and exclusive store by.

Experience makes us wise.

By despising all that has preceded us, we teach others to despise ourselves.

Pride is founded not on the sense of happiness, but on the sense of power.

I can enjoy society in a room; but out of doors, nature is company enough for me

Fashion is gentility running away from vulgarity and afraid of being overtaken

The love of fame is almost another name for the love of excellence; or it is the ambition to attain the highest excellence, sanctioned by the highest authority, that of time.