Righteousness, or justice, is, undoubtedly of all the virtues, the surest foundation on which to create and establish a new state. But there are two nobler virtues, industry and frugality, which tend more to increase the wealth, power and grandeur of the community, than all the others without them.
None but the well-bred man knows how to confess a fault, or acknowledge himself in an error.
Those who laugh often never grow old.
If your riches are yours, why don’t you take them with you to the other world?
I have sometimes almost wished it had been my destiny to be born two or three centuries hence.
In America, they do not inquire of a stranger, “What is he?” but, “What can he do?”
It is a bad temper of mind that takes delight in opposition.
I would advise you to read with a pen in your hand and enter in a little book short hints of what you feel that is common or that may be useful; for this will be the best method of imprinting such portcullis in your memory.
Can anything be constant in a world which is eternally changing?
Whenever we attempt to mend the scheme of Providence and to interfere in the Government of the world, we had need be very circumspect lest we do more harm than good.
If any form of government is capable of making a nation happy, ours I think bids fair now for producing that effect. But after all much depends upon the people who are governed.
Men’s minds do not die with their bodies but are made more happy or miserable after this life according to their actions.
I have found Christian dogma unintelligible.
Do well by doing good.
Common sense without education, is better than education without common sense.
Don’t you know, that all wives are in the right? It may be you don’t, for you are yet a young husband.
Money makes money. And the money that makes money makes more money.
You don’t get somebody to like you by doing them a favor. That only tends to build resentment over the fact that they are needy and you are not. No, you ask them to do you a favor.
What’s a Sun-Dial in the shade?
How can any Action be meritorious of Praise or Dispraise, Reward or Punishment, when the natural Principle of Self-Love is the only and the irresistible Motive to it?