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.

The preaching of divines helps to preserve well-inclined men in the course of virtue, but seldom or ever reclaims the vicious.

One principal object of good-breeding is to suit our behaviour to the three several degrees of men, our superiors, our equals, and those below us.

Blot out, correct, insert, refine, enlarge, diminish, interline. Be mindful, when invention fails. To scratch your head and bite your nails.

A favor is half granted, when graciously refused.

They say fingers were made before forks, and hands before knives.

Men always grow vicious before they become unbelievers.