“There is not a more pleasing exercise of the mind than gratitude. It is accompanied with such an inward satisfaction that the duty is sufficiently rewarded by the performance”

Hunting is not a proper employment for a thinking man.

Talking with a friend is nothing else but thinking aloud.

Women were formed to temper Mankind, and sooth them into Tenderness and Compassion; not to set an Edge upon their Minds, and blowup in them those Passions which are too apt to rise of their own Accord.

The transition from cause to effect, from event to event, is often carried on by secret steps, which our foresight cannot divine, and our sagacity is unable to trace.

Jesters do often prove prophets.

It is only imperfection that complains of what is imperfect. The more perfect we are the more gentle and quiet we become towards the defects of others.

There is nothing which strengthens faith more than the observance of morality.

Love, anger, pride and avarice all visibly move in those little orbs.

The greatest sweetener of human life is Friendship. To raise this to the highest pitch of enjoyment, is a secret which but few discover.

Three grand essentials to happiness in this life are something to do, something to love, and something to hope for.

Jealousy is that pain which a man feels from the apprehension that he is not equally beloved by the person whom he entirely loves.

If men of eminence are exposed to censure on one hand, they are as much liable to flattery on the other. If they receive reproaches which are not due to them, they likewise receive praises which they do not deserve.

True benevolence or compassion, extends itself through the whole of existence and sympathizes with the distress of every creature capable of sensation.

It is not the business of virtue to extirpate the affections of the mind, but to regulate them.

Soon as the evening shades prevail, The moon takes up the wondrous tale, And nightly to the listening earth Repeats the story of her birth.

A man should always consider how much he has more than he wants.

Usually, critical words are accompanied by threats, name-calling, and yelling. This verbal abuse can be especially damaging.

The popularisation of scientific doctrines is producing as great an alteration in the mental state of society as the material applications of science are effecting in its outward life.

Someone who won’t constantly mind about my childish needs but who, the day after the quarrel, for example would offer me a flower accompanied by a sweet note That’s kind of guy I need.