The most miserable mortals are they that deliver themselves up to their palates, or to their lusts; the pleasure is short, and turns presently nauseous, and the end of it is either shame or repentance.
A good mind is a lord of a kingdom.
The proper amount of wealth is that which neither descends to poverty nor is far distant from it.
The first petition that we are to make to Almighty God is for a good conscience, the next for health of mind, and then of body.
The origin of all mankind was the same; it is only a clear and good conscience that makes a man noble, for that is derived from heaven itself.
Anger is like a ruin, which, in falling upon its victim, breaks itself to pieces.
He that lays down precepts for the governing of our lives, and moderating our passions, obliges humanity not only in the present, but in all future generations.
Study rather to fill your mind than your coffers; knowing that gold and silver were originally mingled with dirt, until avarice or ambition parted them.
We are at best but stewards of what we falsely call our own; yet avarice is so insatiable that it is not in the power of liberality to content it.
As the world leads we follow.
He that will do no good offices after a disappointment must stand still, and do just nothing at all. The plough goes on after a barren year; and while the ashes are yet warm, we raise a new house upon the ruins of a former.
Home joys are blessed of heaven.
Elegance is not an ornament worthy of man.
Consider an enemy may become a friend.
It is a world of mischief that may be done by a single example of avarice or luxury. One voluptuous palate makes many more.
Men trust rather to their eyes than to their ears; the effect of precepts is therefore slow and tedious, whilst that of examples is summary and effectual.
Expediency often silences justice.
Dissembling profiteth nothing; a feigned countenance, and slightly forged externally, deceiveth but very few.
If you will fear nothing, think that all things are to be feared.
It is only the surprise and newness of the thing which makes that misfortune terrible which by premeditation might be made easy to us. For that which some people make light by sufferance, others do by foresight.