He that can enjoy the intimacy of the great, and on no occasion disgust them by familiarity, or disgrace himself by servility, proves that he is as perfect a gentleman by nature as his companions are by rank.

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

It is better to meet danger than to wait for it. He that is on a lee shore, and foresees a hurricane, stands out to sea and encounters a storm to avoid a shipwreck.

The good opinion of our fellow men is the strongest, though not the purest motive to virtue.

Human foresight often leaves its proudest possessor only a choice of evils.

Hannibal knew better how to conquer than how to profit by the conquest; and Napoleon was more skilful in taking positions than in maintaining them. As to reverses, no general cart presume to say that he may not be defeated; but he can, and ought to say, that he will not be surprised.

So blinded are we by our passions, that we suffer more to be damned than to be saved.