Frequent and loud laughter is the characteristic of folly and ill manners.

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

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

Be wiser than other people if you can; but do not tell them so.

Talk often, but never long; in that case, if you do not please, at least you are sure not to tire your hearers. Pay your own reckoning, but do not treat the whole company; this being one of the few cases in which people do not care to be treated, every one being fully convinced that he has wherewithal to pay.

The manner of a vulgar man has freedom without ease, and the manner of a gentleman has ease without freedom.

Not to perceive the little weaknesses and the idle but innocent affectations of the company may be allowable as a sort of polite duty. The company will be pleased with you if you do, and most probably will not be reformed by you if you do not.