Nature has presented us with a large faculty of entertaining ourselves alone; and often calls us to it, to teach us that we owe ourselves in part to society, but chiefly and mostly to ourselves.

Every man may speak truly, but to speak methodically, prudently, and fully is a talent that few men have.

He who fears he shall suffer, already suffers what he fears.

We are more sensible of one little touch of a surgeon's lancet than of twenty wounds with a sword in the heat of fight.

Why dost thou complain of this world? It detains thee not; thy own cowardice is the cause, if thou livest in pain.

There is no so wretched and coarse a soul wherein some particular faculty is not seen to shine.

If health and a fair day smile upon me, I am a very good fellow; if a corn trouble my toe, I am sullen, out of humor, and inaccessible.

It is no hard matter to get children; but after they are born, then begins the trouble, solicitude, and care rightly to train, principle, and bring them up.

The truth of these days is not that which really is, but what every man persuades another man to believe.

What kind of truth is it which has these mountains as its boundary and is a lie beyond them?