Life is a comedy for those who think and a tragedy for those who feel.

I firmly believe, notwithstanding all our complaints, that almost every person upon earth tastes upon the totality more happiness than misery.

It is charming to totter into vogue.

Foolish writers and readers are created for each other.

I have known several persons of great fame for wisdom in public affairs and councils governed by foolish servants. I have known great ministers, distinguished for wit and learning, who preferred none but dunces. I have known men of valor cowards to their wives. I have known men of cunning perpetually cheated. I knew three ministers who would exactly compute and settle the accounts of a kingdom, wholly ignorant of their own economy.

In science, mistakes always precede the truth

By deafness one gains in one respect more than one loses; one misses more nonsense than sense.