Virtue Is Despotic; Life, Reputation, Every Earthly

Where There Is Any Good Disposition, Confidence Begets Faithfulness; But Distrust, If It Do Not Produce Treachery; Never Fails To Destroy Every Inclination To Evince Fidelity. Most People Disdain To Clear Themselves From The Accusations Of Mere Suspicion.

Our Griefs, As Well As Our Joys, Owe Their Strongest Colors To Our Imaginations. There Is Nothing So Grievous To Be Borne That Pondering Upon It Will Not Make It Heavier; And There Is No Pleasure So Vivid That The Animation Of Fancy Cannot Liven It.

The Best Manner Of Avenging Ourselves Is By Not Resembling Him Who Injured Us; And It Is Hardly Possible For One Man To Be More Unlike Another Than He That Forbears To Avenge Himself Of Wrong Is To Him Who Did The Wrong.

Virtue Is Despotic; Life, Reputation, Every Earthly Good, Must Be Surrendered At Her Voice. The Law May Seem Hard, But It Is The Guardian Of What It Commands; And Is The Only Sure Defence Of Happiness.

However You Disguise Slavery, It Is Slavery Still. Its Chains, Though Wreathed With Roses, Not Only Fasten On The Body But Rivet On The Mind.