If ever a man and his wife, or a man and his mistress, who pass nights as well as days together, absolutely lay aside all good breeding, their intimacy will soon degenerate into a coarse familiarity, infallibly productive of contempt or disgust.

I would rather have a young fellow too much than too little dressed; the excess on that side will wear off, with a little age and reflection; but if he is negligent at twenty, he will be a sloven at forty, and stink at fifty years old. Dress yourself fine where others are fine, and plain where others are plain; but take care always that your clothes are well made and fit you, for otherwise they will give you a very awkward air.

Speak of the moderns without contempt and of the ancients without idolatry; judge them all by their merits, but not by their age

Nothing convinces persons of a weak understanding so effectually, as what they do not comprehend.

Being pretty on the inside means you don't hit your brother and you eat all your peas - that's what my grandma taught me.

Compliments of congratulation are always kindly taken, and cost nothing but pen, ink and paper. I consider them as draughts upon good breeding, where the exchange is always greatly in favor of the drawer.

It is good breeding alone that can prepossess people in your favor at first sight, more time being necessary to discover greater talents.