Give nobly to indigent merit, and do not refuse your charity even to those who have not merit but their misery.

Learning is acquired by reading books; much more necessary learning, the knowledge of the world, is only to be acquired by reading men, and studying all the various editions of them.

The herd of mankind can hardly be said to think; their notions are almost all adoptive; and, in general, I believe it is better that it should be so; as such common prejudices contribute more to order and quiet, than their own separate reasonings would do, uncultivated and unimproved as they are.

Speak of the moderns without contempt and of the ancients without idolatry; judge them all by their merits, but not by their age

Words are the dress of thoughts; which should no more be presented in rags, tatters, and dirt than your person should.

Loud laughter is the mirth of the mob, who are only pleased with silly things; for true Wit or good Sense never excited a laugh since the creation of the world. A man of parts and fashion is therefore often seen to smile, but never heard to laugh.

I assisted at the birth of that most significant word "flirtation," which dropped from the most beautiful mouth in the world.