If thou wouldn't conquer thy weakness thou must not gratify it.

It is wise not to seek a secret, and honest not to reveal one.

For nothing reaches the heart but what is from the heart, or pierces the conscience but what comes from a living conscience

Were the superfluities of a nation valued, and made a perpetual tax or benevolence, there would be more alms-houses than poor, schools than scholars, and enough to spare for government besides.

The country life is to be preferred, for there we see the works of God; but in cities little else but the works of men. And the one makes a better subject for contemplation than the other.

It is a coal from God's altar must kindle our fire; and without fire, true fire, no acceptable sacrifice.

God is better served in resisting a temptation to evil than in many formal prayers.