Sexual intercourse is a grossly overrated pastime; the position is undignified, the pleasure momentary and the consequences damnable.

Wit is so shining a quality that everybody admires it; most people aim at it, all people fear it, and few love it unless in themselves. A man must have a good share of wit himself to endure a great share of it in another.

Those whom you can make like themselves better will, I promise you, like you very well.

I sometimes give myself admirable advice, but I am incapable of taking it.

Great merit or great failings will make you respected or despised; but trifles, little attentions, mere nothings, either done or neglected, will make you either liked or disliked, in the general run of the world. Examine yourself, why you like such and such people and dislike such and such others; and you will find that those different sentiments proceed from very slight causes.

I assisted at the birth of that most significant word "flirtation," which dropped from the most beautiful mouth in the world.

Absolute power can only be supported by error, ignorance and prejudice.