Poverty will often lead to great intellectual pursuits; but the
resources of fortune will frequently suppress the most cogent ideas.
Never subdue a feeling arising from principle; for the mockery of
conscience will contend against the hostile powers of a nation.
Never wantonly offend any man however feeble his situation: you know not
how soon his personal interest may be acceptable.
In choosing a wife, a good disposition will be found the most staple
commodity. Most other virtues will flourish in so luxuriant a soil.
It should be the study of every individual to become rather a _useful_
than a _rich_ member of society.
Weak opponents are universally great calumniators.
To adduce an opinion without some argumentative reason to support it,
shows great precipitancy of idea. It is like raising a sumptuous pile
for the mere gratification of witnessing its destruction.
It is not the _enormity_, but the _certainty_, of punishment that deters
mankind from evil. Hope will always gain the ascendancy.
Precept and example are great opposites. The one is generally too
extravagantly lavished: the other abridges more personal comfort than
most people like to sacrifice.
Few individuals are patriotic enough to participate in the correction of
a public abuse, until the corruption produces personal inconvenience.
Flattery will ever, more or less, accompany the first overtures to
friendship. It may not be deemed impolitic if it be found to recede as
the intimacy matures.