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

The man of pleasure, by a vain attempt to be more happy than any man can be, is often more miserable than most men are.

Most plagiarists, like the drone, have neither taste to select, industry to acquire, nor skill to improve, but impudently pilfer the honey ready prepared, from the hive.

Never join with your friend when he abuses his horse or his wife, unless the one is about to be sold, the other to be buried.

A power above all human responsibility ought to be above all human attainment.

Emulation looks out for merits, that she may exalt herself by a victory; envy spies out blemishes that she may lower another by defeat.

There were moments of despondency when Shakespeare thought himself no poet, and Raphael no painter; when the greatest wits have doubted the excellence of their happiest efforts.