Can any man have a higher notion of the rule of right and the eternal fitness of things?
I describe not men, but manners; not an individual, but a species.
Great joy, especially after a sudden change of circumstances, is apt to be silent, and dwells rather in the heart than on the tongue.
When mighty roast beef was the Englishman’s food It ennobled our hearts and enriched our blood – Our soldiers were brave and our courtiers were good. Oh! the roast beef of England. And Old England’s roast beef.
No acquisitions of guilt can compensate the loss of that solid inward comfort of mind, which is the sure companion of innocence and virtue; nor can in the least balance the evil of that horror and anxiety which, in their room, guilt introduces into our bosoms.
Commend a fool for his wit, or a rogue for his honesty and he will receive you into his favour.
We must eat to live, and not live to eat.
To speak a bold truth, I am, after much mature deliberation, inclined to suspect that the public voice hath, in all ages, done much injustice to Fortune, and hath convicted her of many facts in which she had not the least concern.
A good conscience is never lawless in the worst regulated state, and will provide those laws for itself which the neglect of legislators had forgotten to supply.
As a conquered rebellion strengthens a government, or as health is more perfectly established by recovery from some diseases; so anger, when removed, often gives new life to affection.
There is scarcely any man, how much soever he may despise the character of a flatterer, but will condescend in the meanest manner to flatter himself.
In a debate, rather pull to pieces the argument of thy antagonists than offer him any of thy own; for thus thou wilt fight him in his own country.
There are two considerations which always imbitter the heart of an avaricious man – the one is a perpetual thirst after more riches, the other the prospect of leaving what he has already acquired.
Giving comfort under affliction requires that penetration into the human mind, joined to that experience which knows how to soothe, how to reason, and how to ridicule; taking the utmost care never to apply those arts improperly.
Wicked companions invite us to hell.
Great vices are the proper objects of our detestation, smaller faults of our pity, but affectation appears to be the only true source of the ridiculous.
Affectation proceeds from one of these two causes, – vanity or hypocrisy; for as vanity puts us on affecting false characters, in order to purchase applause; so hypocrisy sets us on an endeavor to avoid censure, by concealing our vices under an appearance of their opposite virtues.
The slander of some people is as great a recommendation as the praise of others.
A good heart will, at all times, betray the best head in the world.
There cannot be a move glorious object in creation than a human being replete with benevolence, meditating in what manner he might render himself most acceptable to his Creator by doing most good to His creatures.