A vow is a snare for sin.
Labor, if it were not necessary for existence, would be indispensable for the happiness of man.
Integrity without knowledge is weak and useless, and knowledge without integrity is dangerous and dreadful.
Almost every man wastes part of his life attempting to display qualities which he does not possess.
I would not give half a guinea to live under one form of government other than another. It is of no moment to the happiness of an individual.
The happiest conversation is that of which nothing is distinctly remembered but a general effect of pleasing impression.
It is better to suffer wrong than to do it, and happier to be sometimes cheated than not to trust.
My books are water; those of the great geniuses is wine. Everybody drinks water.
The great advantages of simulation and dissimulation are three. First to lay asleep opposition and to surprise. For where a man’s intentions are published, it is an alarum to call up all that are against them. The second is to reserve a man’s self a fair retreat: for if a man engage himself, by a manifest declaration, he must go through, or take a fall. The third is, the better to discover the mind of another. For to him that opens himself, men will hardly show themselves adverse; but will fair let him go on, and turn their freedom of speech to freedom of thought.
We are not victims of aging, sickness and death. These are part of scenery, not the seer, who is immune to any form of change. This seer is the spirit, the expression of eternal being.
He enjoys true leisure who has time to improve his soul’s estate.
That which builds is better than that which is built.
Doubt kills more dreams than failure ever will.
You must not blame me if I do talk to the clouds.
Sweet and glorious it is to die for our country.
The trade of advertising is now so near perfection that it is not easy to propose any improvement. But as every art ought to be exercised in due subordination to the public good, I cannot but propose it as a moral question to these masters of the public ear, whether they do not sometimes play too wantonly with our passions.
Usually the modest person passes for someone reserved, the silent for a sullen person
Life affords no higher pleasure than that of surmounting difficulties, passing from one step of success to another, forming new wishes and seeing them gratified.
Of all debts men are least willing to pay the taxes. What a satire is this on government! Everywhere they think they get their moneys worth, except for these.
Adversity has the effect of eliciting talents, which in prosperous circumstances would have lain dormant.
Those who attain any excellence, commonly spend life in one pursuit; for excellence is not often gained upon easier terms.
America is another name for opportunity.
