Singularity is only pardonable in old age and retirement; I may now be as singular as I please, but you may not.

May you live as long as you are fit to live, but no longer, or, may you rather die before you cease to be fit to live than after!

People will no more advance their civility to a bear, than their money to a bankrupt.

The late Président de Montesquieu told me that he knew how to be blind--he had been so for such a long time--but I swear that I do not know how to be deaf: I cannot get used to it, and I am as humiliated and distressed by it today as I was during the first week. No philosophy in the world can palliate deafness.

Gratitude is a burden upon our imperfect nature.

To know a little of anything gives neither satisfaction nor credit, but often brings disgrace or ridicule.

Keep your own secret, and get out other people's. Keep your own temper, and artfully warm other people's. Counterwork your rivalswith diligence and dexterity, but at the same time with the utmost personal civility to them: and be firm without heat.