Those who speak always and those who never speak are equally unfit for friendship. A food proportion of the talent of listening and speaking is the base of social virtues.

He who seeks to imbitter innocent pleasure has a cancer in his heart.

The true friend of truth and good loves them under all forms, but he loves them most under the most simple form.

Take here the grand secret; if not of pleasing all, yet of displeasing none, and court mediocrity, avoid originality, and sacrifice to fashion.

Who forces himself on others is to himself a load. Impetuous curiosity is empty and inconstant. Prying intrusion may be suspected of whatever is little.

The freer you feel yourself in the presence of another, the more free is he...

Vociferation and calmness of character seldom meet in the same person.