True politeness is perfect ease and freedom. It simply consists in treating others just as you love to be treated yourself.

If a man, notoriously and designedly, insults and affronts you, knock him down; but if he only injures you, your best revenge is to be extremely civil to him in your outward behaviour, though at the same time you counterwork him, and return him the compliment, perhaps with interest.

Lord Tyrawley and I have been dead these two years, but we don't choose to have it known.

A vulgar man is captious and jealous; eager and impetuous about trifles. He suspects himself to be slighted, and thinks everything that is said meant at him.

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

When I reflect upon what I have seen, what I have heard, what I have done, I can hardly persuade myself that all that frivolous hurry and bustle and pleasure of the world had any reality; and I look on what has passed as one of those wild dreams which opium occasions, and I by no means wish to repeat the nauseous dose for the sake of the fugitive illusion.

Silence and reserve suggest latent power. What some men think has more effect than what others say.