We should amuse our evening hours of life in cultivating the tender plants, and bringing them to perfection, before they are transplanted to a happier clime.
It is a maxim, founded on the universal experience of mankind, that no nation is to be trusted farther than it is bound by its interest; and no prudent statesman or politician will venture to depart from it.
I wish to walk in such a line as will give most general satisfaction.
A natural parent has only two things principally to consider, the improvement of his son, and the finances to do it with.
The determinations of Providence are always wise, often inscrutable; and, though its decrees appear to bear hard upon us at times, is nevertheless meant for gracious purposes.
Letters of friendship require no study.
An army formed of good officers moves like clockwork; but there is no situation upon earth less enviable, nor more distressing, than that person’s who is at the head of troops which are regardless of order and discipline.
Diffidence in an officer is a good mark because he will always endeavor to bring himself up to what he conceives to be the full line of his duty.
Painful as the task is to describe the dark side of our affairs, it sometimes becomes a matter of indispensable necessity.
The company in which you will improve most will be least expensive to you.
It is not the mere study of the Law, but to become eminent in the profession of it, which is to yield honor and profit.
To acknowledge the receipt of letters is always proper, to remove doubts of their miscarriage.
System in all things should be aimed at; for in execution it renders every thing more easy.
Unwilling am I, in the evening of a life nearly consumed in public cares, to quit a peaceful abode for an Ocean of difficulties.
There is a Destiny which has the control of our actions, not to be resisted by the strongest efforts of Human Nature.
The fate of unborn millions will now depend, under God, on the courage and conduct of this army. We have, therefore, to resolve to conquer or die.
In the composition of the human frame there is a good deal of inflammable matter, however dormant it may lie for a time.
It is easy to make acquaintances, but very difficult to shake them off, however irksome and unprofitable they are found, after we have once committed ourselves to them.
Experience has taught us that men will not adopt and carry into execution measures the best calculated for their own good without the intervention of a coercive power.
Good company will always be found much less expensive than bad.