“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.”

“Of the uncertainties of our present state, the most dreadful and alarming is the uncertain continuance of reason.”

“Knowledge is of two kinds. We know a subject ourselves, or we know where we can find information upon it. When we enquire into any subject, the first thing we have to do is to know what books have treated of it. This leads us to look at catalogues, and at the backs of books in libraries.”

“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.”

“Justice is my being allowed to do whatever I like. Injustice is whatever prevents my doing so.”

“A man is very apt to complain of the ingratitude of those who have risen far above him.”