If a book really wants the patronage of a great name, it is a bad book; and if it be a good book, it wants it not.

Pain may be said to follow pleasure as its shadow.

Ambition is to the mind what the cap is to the falcon; it blinds us first, and then compels us to tower by reason of our blindness.

There are some who affect a want of affectation, and flatter themselves that they are above flattery; they are proud of being thought extremely humble, and would go round the world to punish those who thought them capable of revenge; they are so satisfied of the suavity of their own temper that they would quarrel with their dearest benefactor only for doubting it.

Reply to wit with gravity, and to gravity with wit.

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 two way of establishing a reputation, one to be praised by honest people and the other to be accused by rogues. It is best, however, to secure the first one, because it will always be accompanied by the latter.