Every man is valued in this world as he shows by his conduct that he wishes to be valued.

The Great slight the men of wit, who have nothing but wit; the men of wit despise the Great, who have nothing but greatness; the good man pities them both, if with greatness or wit they have not virtue.

This great misfortune, to be incapable of solitude.

We seek our happiness outside ourselves, and in the opinion of men we know to be flatterers, insincere, unjust, full of envy, caprice and prejudice.

I take sanctuary in an honest mediocrity.

Amongst such as out of cunning hear all and talk little, be sure to talk less; or if you must talk, say little.

Criticism is often not a science; it is a craft, requiring more good health than wit, more hard work than talent, more habit than native genius. In the hands of a man who has read widely but lacks judgment, applied to certain subjects it can corrupt both its readers and the writer himself.