It may be observed of good writing, as of good blood, that it is much easier to say what it is composed of than to compose it.

He that can please nobody is not so much to be pitied as he that nobody can please.

When I meet with any persons who write obscurely or converse confusedly, I am apt to suspect two things; first, that such persons do not understand themselves; and secondly, that they are not worthy of being understood by others.

Pedantry crams our heads with learned lumber and takes out our brains to make room for it.

It has been shrewdly said, that when, men abuse us we should suspect ourselves, and when they praise us, them. It is a rare instance of virtue to despise which censure which we do not deserve; and still more rare to despise praise which we do.

As that gallant can best affect a pretended passion for one woman who has no true love for another, so he that has no real esteem for any of the virtues can best assume the appearance of them all.

Grant graciously what you cannot refuse safely and conciliate those you cannot conquer.