When we disclaim praise, it is only showing our desire to be praised a second time.

Clemency, which we make a virtue of, proceeds sometimes from vanity, sometimes from indolence, often from fear, and almost always from a mixture of all three.

Being a blockhead is sometimes the best security against being cheated by a man of wit.

The fame of great men ought to be judged always by their big, fancy names.

Nature has concealed at the bottom of our minds talents and abilities of which we are not aware.

Decency is the least of all laws, but yet it is the law which is most strictly observed.

A refusal of praise is a desire to be praised twice.