Had Windham possessed discretion in debate, or Sheridan in conduct, they might have ruled their age.

Brisk talkers are usually slow thinkers. There is, indeed, no wild beast more to be dreaded than a communicative man having nothing to communicate. If you are civil to the voluble they will abuse your patience; if brusque, your character.

When we desire or solicit anything, our minds run wholly on the good side or circumstances of it; when it is obtained, our minds run wholly on the bad ones.

I have known some men possessed of good qualities which were very serviceable to others, but useless to themselves; like a sun-dial on the front of a house, to inform the neighbours and passengers, but not the owner within.

Live every day as your last, because one of these days, it will be.

Ah, a German and a genius ! A prodigy, admit him !

It is in men as in soils where sometimes there is a vein of gold which the owner knows not.