Fragments

Your word is your servant, so long as you retain it; but it becomes your master when you suffer it to escape. Idleness is the gate of all harms.

In private we must watch our thoughts, in the family our tempers, in company our tongues.

We may live by forms, but there is no dying by forms.

Afflictions are God's whetstones—they put a new edge upon old principles.

We are what we are in private.

Our principles are the springs of our actions, our actions the springs of our happiness and misery. Too much care, therefore, cannot be employed in forming our principles.

Our very manner is a thing of importance. A kind No is often more agreeable than a rough Yes.

All is but lip wisdom that wants experience.

Never let your tongue go before your thoughts.

Time is like a verb, that can only be of use in the present tense.

Time never sits heavily on us but when it is badly employed.

Time is a grateful friend; use it well, and it never fails to make suitable requital.