Life is a continued struggle to be what we are not, and to do what we cannot.

The measure of any man's virtue is what he would do, if he had neither the laws nor public opinion, nor even his own prejudices, to control him.

The great requisite for the prosperous management of ordinary business is the want of imagination.

The world judge of men by their ability in their profession, and we judge of ourselves by the same test: for it is on that on which our success in life depends.

Those who are pleased with the fewest things know the least, as those who are pleased with everything know nothing.

We are never so much disposed to quarrel with others as when we are dissatisfied with ourselves.

There is a heroism in crime as well as in virtue. Vice and infamy have their altars and their religion.