A man may have intelligence enough to excel in a particular thing and lecture on it, and yet not have sense enough to know he ought to be silent on some other subject of which he has but a slight knowledge; if such an illustrious man ventures beyond the bounds of his capacity, he loses his way and talks like a fool.

Praise, of all things, is the most powerful excitement to commendable actions, and animates us in our enterprises.

It is boorish to live ungraciously: the giving is the hardest part; what does it cost to add a smile?

Eloquence is to the sublime what the whole is to the part.

Time makes friendship stronger, but love weaker.

It is a sad thing when men have neither enough intelligence to speak well nor enough sense to hold their tongues; this is the root of all impertinence.

Laziness begat wearisomeness, and this put men in quest of diversions, play and company, on which however it is a constant attendant; he who works hard, has enough to do with himself otherwise.