Pity a thing often avowed, seldom felt; hatred is a thing often felt, seldom avowed.

Villains are usually the worst casuists, and rush into crimes to avoid less. Henry VIII. committed murder to avoid the imputation of adultery; and in our times, those who commit the latter crime attempt to wash off the stain of seducing the wife by signifying their readiness to shoot the husband.

Our very best friends have a tincture of jealousy even in their friendship; and when they hear us praised by others, will ascribe it to sinister and interested motives if they can.

Folly disgusts us less by her ignorance than pedantry by her learning.

We often pretend to fear what we really despise, and more often despise what we really fear.

Books, like friends, should be few and well chosen. Like friends, too, we should return to them again and again for, like true friends, they will never fail us - never cease to instruct - never cloy.

Knavery is supple, and can bend, but honesty is firm and upright and yields not.