In the case of scandal, as in that of robbery, the receiver is always thought as bad as the thief.

Many people come into company full of what they intend to say in it themselves, without the least regard to others; and thus charged up to the muzzle are resolved to let it off at any rate.

Mankind is made up of inconsistencies, and no man acts invariably up to his predominant character. The wisest man sometimes acts weakly, and the weakest sometimes wisely.

I look upon indolence as a sort of suicide.

I have, by long experience, found women to be like Telephus's spear: if one end kills, the other cures.

We are hardly ever grateful for a fine clock or watch when it goes right, and we pay attention to it only when it falters, for then we are caught by surprise. It ought to be the other way about.

Sincerity is the most compendious wisdom.