The cause of a wrong taste is a defect of judgment.

An entire life of solitude contradicts the purpose of our being, since death itself is scarcely an idea of more terror.

What shadows we are, and what shadows we pursue!

It is for the most part in our skill in manners, and in the observations of time and place and of decency in general, that what is called taste by way of distinction consists; and which is in reality no other than a more refined judgment.

Manners are of more importance than laws. Manners are what vex or soothe, corrupt or purify, exalt or debase, barbarize or refine us, by a constant, steady, uniform, insensible operation, like that of the air we breathe.

Restraint and discipline and examples of virtue and justice. These are the things that form the education of the world.

The perfection of conversation is not to play a regular sonata, but, like the AEolian harp, to await the inspiration of the passing breeze.