“Almost all absurdity of conduct arises from the imitation of those whom we cannot resemble.”

“We are inclined to believe those whom we do not know because they have never deceived us.”

“The chief glory of every people arises from its authors.”

“Prosperity is too apt to prevent us from examining our conduct; but adversity leads us to think properly of our state, and so is most beneficial to us.”

“Imitations produce pain or pleasure, not because they are mistaken for realities, but because they bring realities to mind.”

“It has been observed in all ages that the advantages of nature or of fortune have contributed very little to the promotion of happiness; and that those whom the splendour of their rank, or the extent of their capacity, have placed upon the summits of human life, have not often given any just occasion to envy in those who look up to them from a lower station; whether it be that apparent superiority incites great designs, and great designs are naturally liable to fatal miscarriages; or that the general lot of mankind is misery, and the misfortunes of those whose eminence drew upon them an universal attention, have been more carefully recorded, because they were more generally observed, and have in reality only been more conspicuous than others, not more frequent, or more severe.”

“Reason by degrees submits to absurdity, as the eye in time is accommodated to darkness.”