What Anacharsis said of the vine may aptly enough be said of prosperity. She bears the three grapes of drunkenness, pleasure, and sorrow; and happy is it if the last can cure the mischief which the former work. When afflictions fail to have their due effect, the case is desperate.
Henry St John, 1st Viscount BolingbrokeI have observed that in comedies the best actor plays the droll, while some scrub rogue is made the fine gentleman or hero. Thus it is in the farce of life. Wise men spend their time in mirth; it is only fools who are serious.
Henry St John, 1st Viscount BolingbrokeTo converse with historians is to keep good company; many of them were excellent men, and those who were not, have taken care to appear such in their writings.
Henry St John, 1st Viscount BolingbrokeA long novitiate of acquaintance should precede the vows of friendship.
Henry St John, 1st Viscount Bolingbroke