Love of flattery, in most men, proceeds from the mean opinion they have of themselves; in women, from the contrary.

A true critic, in the perusal of a book, is like a dog at a feast, whose thoughts and stomach are wholly set upon what the guests fling away, and consequently is apt to snarl most when there are the fewest bones.

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

Wise people are never less alone than when they are alone.

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.

Coffee makes us severe, and grave and philosophical.

111 company is like a dog, who dirts those most whom he loves best.