Ignorance is a blank sheet, on which we may write; but error is a scribbled one, on which we must first erase.

A man who knows the world will not only make the most of everything he does know, but of many things he does not know, and will gain more credit by his adroit mode of hiding his ignorance than the pedant by his awkward attempt to exhibit his erudition.

Some men who know that they are great are so very haughty withal and insufferable that their acquaintance discover their greatness only by the tax of humility which they are obliged to pay as the price of their friendship.

Words indeed are but the signs and counters of knowledge, and their currency should be strictly regulated by the capital which they represent.

Our admiration of fine writing will always be in proportion to its real difficulty and its apparent ease.

There are male as well as female gossips.

Criticism is like champagne, nothing more execrable if bad, nothing more excellent if good; if meagre, muddy, vapid and sour, both are fit only to engender colic and wind; but if rich, generous and sparkling, they communicate a genial glow to the spirits, improve the taste, and expand the heart.