All Pretences of foretelling by Astrology, are Deceits; for this manifest Reason, because the Wise and Learned, who can only judge whether there be any Truth in this Science, do all unanimously agree to laugh at and despise it; and none but the poor ignorant Vulgar give it any Credit.

A fig for your bill of fare; show me your bill of company.

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.

A lie is an excuse guarded

Men of great parts are often unfortunate in the management of public business, because they are apt to go out of the common road by the quickness of their imagination.

Coffee makes us severe, and grave and philosophical.

The first springs of great events, like those of great rivers, are often mean and little.