When you have nothing to say, say nothing.

Wealth after all is a relative thing since he that has little and wants less is richer than he that has much and wants more.

Logic and metaphysics make use of more tools than all the rest of the sciences put together, and do the least work.

Falsehood, like a drawing in perspective, will not bear to be examined in every point of view, because it is a good imitation of truth, as a perspective is of the reality, only in one. But truth, like that reality of which the perspective is the representation, will bear to be scrutinized in all points of view, and though examined under every situation, is one and the same.

Sensibility would be a good portress if she had but one hand; with her right she opens the door to pleasure, but with her left to pain.

Flattery is often a traffic of mutual meanness, where although both parties intend deception, neither are deceived.

Living authors, therefore, are usually, bad companions. If they have not gained character, they seek to do so by methods often ridiculous, always disgusting; and if they have established a character, they are silent for fear of losing by their tongue what they have acquired by their pen--for many authors converse much more foolishly than Goldsmith, who have never written half so well.