There is nothing meritorious but virtue and friendship.

Absent or dead, still let a friend be dear.

Statesman, yet friend to truth! of soul sincere, In action faithful, and in honour clear; Who broke no promise, serv'd no private end, Who gain'd no title, and who lost no friend.

Cursed be the verse, how well so e'er it flow, That tends to make one worthy man my foe.

Praise from a friend, or censure from a foe, Are lost on hearers that our merits know.

Thou wert my guide, philosopher, and friend.

Trust not yourself, but your defects to know, make use of every friend and every foe.