We may observe in humorous authors that the faults they chiefly ridicule have often a likeness in themselves. Cervantes had much of the knight-errant in him; Sir George Etherege was unconsciously the Fopling Flutter of his own satire; Goldsmith was the same hero to chambermaids, and coward to ladies that he has immortalized in his charming comedy; and the antiquarian frivolities of Jonathan Oldbuck had their resemblance in Jonathan Oldbuck's creator.

A woman is seldom merciful to the man who is timid.

Dandies, when first-rate, are generally very agreeable men.

The commerce of intellect loves distant shores. The small retail dealer trades only with his neighbor; when the great merchant trades he links the four quarters of the globe.

Happy is the man who hath never known what it is to taste of fame - to have it is a purgatory, to want it is a hell.

There is nothing so agonizing to the fine skin of vanity as the application of a rough truth.

The fewer blows, the better. Brave men fight if they must; wise men never fight if they can help it.