I have seen many people, who while you are speaking to them, instead, of looking at, and attending to you, fix their eyes upon the ceiling, or some other part of the room, look out of the window, play with a dog, twirl their snuff-box, or pick their nose. Nothing discovers a little, futile, frivolous mind more than this, and nothing is so offensively ill-bred.

The manner of a vulgar man has freedom without ease, and the manner of a gentleman has ease without freedom.

Cautiously avoid speaking of the domestic affairs either of yourself, or of other people. Yours are nothing to them but tedious gossip; and theirs are nothing to you.

Enjoy pleasures, but let them be your own, and then you will taste them.

To govern mankind, one must not overrate them.

Most people enjoy the inferiority of their best friends.

Seek always for the best words and the happiest expression you can find.