To revenge reasonable incredulity by refusing evidence, is a degree of insolence with which the world is not yet acquainted; and stubborn audacity is the last refuge of guilt.
Never believe extraordinary characters which you hear of people. Depend upon it, they are exaggerated. You do not see one man shoot a great deal higher than another.
Such is the constitution of Man that labor may be said to be its own re-ward.
He who is extravagant will quickly become poor; and poverty will enforce dependence, and invite corruption.
Profuseness is a cruel and crafty demon, that gradually involves her followers in dependence and debt; that is, fetters them with irons that enter into their souls.
Faction seldom leaves a man honest, however it might find him.
A few men are sufficient to broach falsehoods, which are afterwards innocently diffused by successive relaters.
Falsehood always endeavors to copy the mien and attitude of truth.
Large offers and sturdy rejections are among the most common topics of falsehood.
Fear is implanted in us as a preservative from evil.
Fear naturally quickens the flight of guilt.
Timidity is a disease of the mind, obstinate and fatal; for a man once persuaded that any impediment is insuperable has given it, with respect to himself, that strength and weight which it had not before.
He that is much flattered soon learns to flatter himself.
It requires but little acquaintance with the heart to know that woman’s first wish is to be handsome; and that, consequently, the readiest method of obtaining her kindness is to praise her beauty.
They who look but little into futurity, have, perhaps, the quickest sensation of the present.
Games are good or bad as to their nature; all may be perverted.
Genius, that power which constitutes a poet; that quality without which judgment is cold, and knowledge is inert; that energy which collects, combines, amplifies and animates.
It is good sense applied with diligence to what was at first a mere accident, and which by great application grew to be called, by the generality of mankind, a particular genius.
Glory, the casual gift of thoughtless crowds! Glory, the bribe of avaricious virtue!
For gold the hireling judge distorts the laws.