Fear invites danger; concealed cowards insult known ones.

The company of women of fashion will improve your manners, though not your understanding; and that complaisance and politeness, which are so useful in men's company, can only be acquired in women's.

Two people cannot be alone together for upwards of half an hour without one emerging as the superior.

A man must have a good share of wit himself to endure a great share in another.

Many young people adopt pleasures for which they have not the least taste, only because they are called by that name.... You mustallow that drunkenness, which is equally destructive to body and mind, is a fine pleasure. Gaming, that draws you into a thousand scraps, leaves you penniless, and gives you the air and manners of an outrageous madman, is another most exquisite pleasure, is it not? As to running after women, the consequences of that vice are only the loss of one's nose, the total destruction of health, and, not unfrequently, the being run through the body.

Whoever plays deep must necessarily lose his money or his character.

Very ugly or very beautiful women should be flattered on their understanding, and mediocre ones on their beauty.