Sciences may be learned by rote, but wisdom not.
Our passion and principals are constantly in a frenzy, but begin to shift and waver, as we return to reason.
When the heart flies out before the understanding, it saves the judgment a world of pains.
Alas! if the principles of contentment are not within us, the height of station and worldly grandeur will as soon add a cubit to a man’s stature as to his happiness.
Courtship consists in a number of quiet attentions, not so pointed as to alarm, nor so vague as not to be understood.
I once asked a hermit in Italy how he could venture to live alone, in a single cottage, on the top of a mountain, a mile from any habitation? He replied, that Providence was his next-door neighbor.
In all unmerciful actions, the worst of men pay this compliment at least to humanity, as to endeavour to wear as much of the appearance of it, as the case will well let them.
For every ten jokes you acquire a hundred enemies.
Sight is by much the noblest of the senses. We receive our notices from the other four, through the organs of sensation only. We hear, we feel, we smell, we taste, by touch. But sight rises infinitely higher. It is refined above matter, and equals the faculty of spirit.
There have been no sects in the Christian world, however absurd, which have not endeavoured to support their opinions by arguments drawn from Scripture.
A dwarf who brings a standard along with him to measure his own size, take my word, is a dwarf in more articles than one.
But this is neither here nor there why do I mention it? Ask my pen, it governs me, I govern not it.
Chance is the providence of adventurers.
It is a great pity but tis certain from every day’s observation of man, that he may be set on fire like a candle, at either end provided there is a sufficient wick standing out.
What is the life of man! Is it not to shift from side to side? From sorrow to sorrow? To button up one cause of vexation! And unbutton another!
Titles of honor are like the impressions on coins, which add no value to gold or silver, but only render brass current.
The most accomplished way of using books is to serve them as some people do lords; learn their titles and then brag of their acquaintance.
So much of motion, is so much of life, and so much of joy, and to stand still, or get on but slowly, is death and the devil.
People who overly take care of their health are like misers. They hoard up a treasure which they never enjoy.
I have a strong propensity in me to begin this chapter very nonsensically, and I will not balk my fancy. – Accordingly I set off thus:.