To speak highly of one with whom we are intimate is a species of egotism. Our modesty as well as our jealousy teaches us caution on this subject.

Believe all the good you can of everyone. Do not measure others by yourself. If they have advantages which you have not, let your liberality keep pace with their good fortune. Envy no one, and you need envy no one.

We go on a journey to be free of all impediments; to leave ourselves behind much more than to get rid of others

Prosperity is a great teacher; adversity a greater.

To think ill of mankind and not wish ill to them, is perhaps the highest wisdom and virtue.

To display the greatest powers, unless they are applied to great purposes, makes nothing for the character of greatness.

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.