There is not a more prudent maxim, than to live with one's enemies as if they may one day become one's friends; as it commonly happens, sooner or later, in the vicissitudes of political affairs.

Buy good books, and read them; the best books are the commonest, and the last editions are always the best, if the editors are not blockheads.

The vulgar only laugh, but never smile; whereas well-bred people often smile, but seldom laugh.

The great, the rich, the powerful, too often bestow their favours upon their inferiors in the manner they bestow their scraps upontheir dogs, so as neither to oblige man nor dogs. It is no wonder if favours, benefits, and even charities thus bestowed ungraciously, should be as coldly and faintly acknowledged.

Our own self-love draws a thick veil between us and our faults.

Never write down your speeches beforehand; if you do, you may perhaps be a good declaimer, but will never be a debater.

Wit is so shining a quality that everybody admires it; most people aim at it, all people fear it, and few love it unless in themselves. A man must have a good share of wit himself to endure a great share of it in another.