Men will not believe because they will not broaden their minds.

It is reported here that the King of Prussia has gone mad and has been locked up. There would be nothing bad about that: at leastthat might of his would no longer be a menace, and you could breathe freely for a while. I much prefer madmen who are locked up to those who are not.

We are as often duped by diffidence as by confidence.

Every man is to be had one way or another and every woman almost anyway.

Common sense (which, in truth, is very uncommon) is the best sense I know of: abide by it; it will counsel you best.

The nation looked upon him as a deserter, and he shrunk into insignificancy and an earldom.

Assurance and intrepidity, under the white banner of seeming modesty, clear the way for merit, that would otherwise be discouraged by difficulties...