“A Christmas gambol oft could cheer The poor man’s heart through half the year.”

The will to do, the soul to dare.

The paths of virtue, though seldom those of worldly greatness, are always those of pleasantness and peace.

A good deal of philanthropy arises in general from mere vanity and love of distinction gilded over to others and to themselves with some show of benevolent sentiment.

Hope is brightest when it dawns from fears.

Of all vices, drinking is the most incompatible with greatness.

A sound head, an honest heart, and an humble spirit are the three best guides through time and to eternity.

Nothing is more completely the child of art than a garden.

We are like the herb which flourisheth most when it is most trampled on.

Those who are too idle to read, save for the purpose of amusement, may in these works acquire some acquaintance with history, which, however inaccurate, is better than none.

Is death the last sleep? No, it is the last and final awakening.

Credit is like a looking-glass, which when once sullied by a breath, may be wiped clear again; but if once cracked can never be repaired.

Hail to the Chief who in triumph advances!

To all, to each, a fair good-night, and pleasing dreams, and slumbers light.

The misery of keeping a dog is his dying so soon. But, to be sure, if he lived for fifty years and then died, what would become of me?

What a strange scene if the surge of conversation could suddenly ebb like the tide, and show us the real state of people’s minds.

Heaven know its time; the bullet has its billet.