Never yield to that temptation, which, to most young men, is very strong, of exposing other people's weaknesses and infirmities, for the sake either of diverting the company, or of showing your own superiority. You may get the laugh on your side by it for the present; but you will make enemies by it for ever; and even those who laugh with you then, will, upon reflection, fear, and consequently hate you.

A man's own good breeding is the best security against other people's ill manners.

Nothing sharpens the arrow of sarcasm so keenly as the courtesy that polishes it; no reproach is like that we clothe with a smile and present with a bow.

Men, as well as women, are much oftener led by their hearts than by their understandings.

An able man shows his spirit by gentle words and resolute actions. He is neither hot nor timid.

Man is more himself, man is more manlike, when joy is the fundamental thing in him, and grief the superficial.

Deserve a great deal, and you shall have a great deal; deserve little, and you shall have but a little; and be good for nothing atall, and I assure you, you shall have nothing at all.