A lady of fashion will sooner excuse a freedom flowing from admiration than a slight resulting from indifference.

In all societies, it is advisable to associate if possible with the highest; not that the highest are always the best, but because, if disgusted there, we can descend at any time; but if we begin with the lowest, to ascend is impossible.

Style is indeed the valet of genius, and an able one too; but as the true gentleman will appear, even in rags, so true genius will shine, even through the coarsest style.

Knowledge is two-fold, and consists not only in an affirmation of what is true, but in the negation of that which is false.

Shining outward qualities, although they may excite first-rate expectations, are not unusually found to be the companions of second-rate abilities.

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

There are only two things in which the false professors of all religions have agreed--to persecute all other sects and to plunder their own.