“Nature in her whole drama never drew such a part; she has sometimes made a fool, but a coxcomb is always of a man’s own making.”

If we hope for what we are not likely to possess, we act and think in vain, and make life a greater dream and shadow than it really is.

Nothing is more gratifying to the mind of man than power or dominion.

I consider the vanity of grieving for those whom we must quickly follow: when I see kings lying by those who deposed them, when I consider rival wits placed side by side, or the holy men that divided the world with their contests and disputes.

On you, my lord, with anxious fear I wait, and from your judgment must expect my fate.

Health and cheerfulness naturally beget each other.

Men may change their climate, but they cannot change their nature. A man that goes out a fool cannot ride or sail himself into common sense.

I value my garden more for being full of blackbirds than of cherries, and very frankly give them fruit for their songs.

When a woman comes to her class, she does not employ her time in making herself look more advantageously what she really is, but endeavours to be as much another creature as she possibly can.

He who would pass his declining years with honor and comfort, should, when young, consider that he may one day become old, and remember when he is old, that he has once been young.

Reading is to the mind, what exercise is to the body. As by the one, health is preserved, strengthened, and invigorated: by the other, virtue (which is the health of the mind) is kept alive, cherished, and confirmed.

Mankind are more indebted to industry than ingenuity; the gods set up their favors at a price, and industry is the purchaser.

There is not a more unhappy being than a superannuated idol.

There are infinite reveries, numberless extravagances, and a perpetual train of vanities which pass through both.

That aids and strengthens virtue where it meets her And imitates her actions where she is not: It is not to be sported with.

Honour’s a sacred tie, the law of kings, The noble mind’s distinguishing perfection

Honor’s a fine imaginary notion, that draws in raw and unexperienced men to real mischiefs.