I always put these pert jackanapeses out of countenance by looking extremely grave when they expect that I should laugh at their pleasantries; and by saying Well, and so?--as if they had not done, and that the sting were still to come. This disconcerts them, as they have no resources in themselves, and have but one set of jokes to live upon.

People hate who makes you feel one's inferiority.

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

To know a little of anything gives neither satisfaction nor credit, but often brings disgrace or ridicule.

How often should a woman be pregnant? Continually, or hardly ever? Or must there be a certain number of pregnancy anniversaries established by fashion? What do you, at the age of forty-three, have to say on the subject? Is it a fact that the laws of nature, or of the country, or of propriety, have ordained this time of life for sterility?

Letters should be easy and natural, and convey to the persons to whom we send them just what we should say to the persons if we were with them.

As fathers commonly go, it is seldom a misfortune to be fatherless; and considering the general run of sons, as seldom a misfortune to be childless.