There is no quality so contrary to any nature which one cannot affect, and put on upon occasion, in order to serve an interest.

It is the folly of too many to mistake the echo of a London coffee-house for the voice of the kingdom.

No man of honor, as the word is usually understood, did ever pretend that his honor obliged him to be chaste or temperate, to pay his creditors, to be useful to his country, to do good to mankind, to endeavor to be wise or learned, to regard his word, his promise, or his oath.

Religion supposed Heaven and Hell, the word of God, and sacraments, and twenty other circumstances which, taken seriously, are a wonderful check to wit and humour.

The example alone of a vicious prince will corrupt an age; but that of a good one will not reform it.

Silks, velvets, calicoes, and the whole lexicon of female fopperies.

For want of a block, man will stumble at a straw.