Story-telling is subject to two unavoidable defects,--frequent repetition and being soon exhausted; so that, whoever values this gift in himself, has need of a good memory, and ought frequently to shift his company.

It is likewise to be observed that this society hath a peculiar chant and jargon of their own, that no other mortal can understand, and wherein all their laws are written, which they take special care to multiply.

We of this age have discovered a shorter, and more prudent method to become scholars and wits, without the fatigue of reading or of thinking.

Pedantry is properly the over-rating of any kind of knowledge we pretend to.

Such a man, truly wise, creams off Nature leaving the sour and the dregs for philosophy and reason to lap up.

It often happens that, if a lie be believed only for an hour, it has done its work, and there is no further occasion for it.

Ay, do despise me, I'm the prouder for it; I like to be despised.