Nothing so uncertain as general reputation. A man injures me from humor, passion, or interest; hates me because he has injured me; and speaks ill of me because he hates me.

Even dress is apt to inflame a man's opinion of himself.

When you descant on the faults of others, consider whether you be not guilty of the same. To gain knowledge of ourselves, the best way is to convert the imperfections of others into a mirror for discovering our own.

To a zealot every one of his own sect is a saint, while the most upright of a different sect are to him children of perdition.

The truly generous is the truly wise, and he who loves not others lives unblest!

Beauty is a dangerous property, tending to corrupt the mind of the wife, though it soon loses its influence over the husband. A figure agreeable and engaging, which inspires affection, without the ebriety of love, is a much safer choice.

No man ever did a designed injury to another, but at the same time he did a greater to himself.