I have sometimes thought that people are, in a sort, happy, that nothing can put out of countenance with themselves, though they neither have nor merit other people’s.
Is it reasonable to take it ill, that anybody desires of us that which is their own? All we have is the Almighty’s; and shall not God have his own when he calls for it?
The only fountain in the wilderness of life, where man drinks of water totally unmixed with bitterness, is that which gushes for him in the calm and shady recess of domestic life.
False-dealing travels a short road, and surely detected.
Interest has the security, though not the virtue of a principle. As the world goes, it is the surest side; for men daily leave both relations and religion to follow it.
Excess in apparel is another costly folly. The very trimming of the vain world would clothe all the naked ones.
Show is not substance; realities govern wise men.
We are too careless of posterity; not considering that as they are, so the next generation will be.
Be sure that religion cannot be right that a man is the worse for having.
To have religion upon authority, and not upon conviction, is like a finger-watch, to be set forwards or backwards, as he pleases that has it in keeping.
Levity of behavior, always a weakness, is far more unbecoming in a woman than a man.
It is wise not to seek a secret, and honest not to reveal one.
Less judgment than wit is more sail than ballast. Yet it must be confessed that wit given an edge to sense, and recommends it extremely.
Perfect love casteth out fear.
It is a coal from God’s altar must kindle our fire; and without fire, true fire, no acceptable sacrifice.
Force may make hypocrites, but it can never make converts.
God is better served in resisting a temptation to evil than in many formal prayers.
This is the Comfort of Friends, that though they may be said to Die, yet their Friendship and Society are, in the best Sense, ever present, because Immortal.
Religion is the fear of God, and its demonstration good works; and faith is the root of both: For without faith we cannot please God; nor can we fear what we do not believe.
The receipts of cookery are swelled to a volume; but a good stomach excels them all.