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

I am in the pitiable situation of feeling all the force of temptation without having the strength to succumb to it.

A man of sense soon discovers, because he carefully observes, where and how long he is welcome; and takes care to leave the company at least as soon as he is wished out of it. Fools never perceive whether they are ill timed or ill placed.

In my mind, there is nothing so illiberal, and so ill-bred, as audible laughter.

Wise people may say what they will, but one passion is never cured by another.

No man tastes pleasures truly, who does not earn them by previous business; and few people do business well, who do nothing else.

In order to judge of the inside of others, study your own; for men in general are very much alike; and though one has one prevailing passion, and another has another, yet their operations are much the same; and whatever engages or disgusts, pleases or offends you, in others, will, mutatis mutandis, engage, disgust, please, or offend others, in you.