Quote collection
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"Nothing is more common than for men to make partial and absurd distinctions between vices of equal enormity, and to observe some of the divine commands with great scrupulousness, while they violate others, equally important, without any concern, or the least apparent conciousness of guilt. Alas, it is only wisdom which perceives this tragedy."
"As pride sometimes is hid under humility, idleness if often covered by turbulence and hurry."
"We often need reminding even if we do not often need educating."
"As long as one lives he will have need of repentance."
"The whole of life is but keeping away the thoughts of death."
"A family ... is a little kingdom, torn with factions and exposed to revolutions."
"To be prejudiced is always to be weak"
"Pointed axioms and acute replies fly loose about the world, and are assigned successively to those whom it may be the fashion to celebrate."
"He who attempts to do all will waste his life in doing little."
"Most men are unwilling to be taught."
"Whatever is proposed, it is much easier to find reasons for rejecting than embracing."
"Towering is the confidence of twenty-one."
"There is nothing so minute, or inconsiderable, that I would not rather know it than not."
"There is in this world no real delight (excepting those of sensuality), but exchange of ideas in conversation."
"The safe and general antidote against sorrow is employment."
"The cure for the greatest part of human miseries is not radical, but palliative."
"So willing is every man to flatter himself, that the difference between approving laws, and obeying them, is frequently forgotten; he that acknowledges the obligations of morality and pleases his vanity with enforcing them to others, concludes himself zealous in the cause of virtue."
"Pleasure is very seldom found where it is sought. Our brightest blazes of gladness are commonly kindled by unexpected sparks. The flowers which scatter their odours from time to time in the paths of life, grow up without culture from seeds scattered by chance."
"Merit rather enforces respect than attracts fondness."
"Actions are visible, though motives are secret."