Men of great and shining qualities do not always succeed in life, but the fault lies more often in themselves than in others.

We ought not to be over-anxious to encourage innovation in cases of doubtful improvement, for an old system must ever have two advantages over a new one; it is established, and it is understood.

Those who bequeath unto themselves a pompous funeral, are at just so much expense to inform the world of something that had much better be concealed; namely, that their vanity has survived themselves.

Secrecy is the soul of all great designs. Perhaps more has been effected by concealing our own intentions than by discovering those of our enemy.

Fashions smile has given wit to dullness and grace to deformity, and has brought everything into vogue, by turns, but virtue.

To look back to antiquity is one thing, to go back to it is another.

It is always easy to shut a book, but not quite so easy to get rid of a lettered coxcomb.