In our judgment of human transactions, the law of optics is reversed; we see the most indistinctly the objects which are close around us.

A man who gives his children habits of industry provides for them better than by giving them fortune.

A man is called selfish not for pursuing his own good, but for neglecting his neighbor's.

As one may bring himself to believe almost anything he is inclined to believe, it makes all the difference whether we begin or end with the inquiry, 'What is truth?'

Curiosity is as much the parent of attention, as attention is of memory.

Everyone wishes to have truth on his side, but not everyone wishes to be on the side of truth.

Happiness is no laughing matter.

Honesty is the best policy; but he who is governed by that maxim is not an honest man.

It is folly to expect men to do all that they may reasonably be expected to do.

It is generally true that all that is required to make men unmindful of what they owe God for any blessing is that they should receive that blessing often and regularly.

It is the neglect of timely repair that makes rebuilding necessary.

Lose an hour in the morning, and you will spend all day looking for it.

All men wish to have truth on their side; but few to be on the side of truth.

Unless people can be kept in the dark, it is best for those who love the truth to give them the full light.

To know your ruling passion, examine your castles in the air.