A certain degree of fear produces the same effects as rashness.

For my own part, I would rather be in company with a dead man than with an absent one; for if the dead man gives me no pleasure, at least he shows me no contempt; whereas the absent one, silently indeed, but very plainly, tells me that he does not think me worth his attention.

Style is the dress of thoughts, and let them be ever so just.

If you will please people, you must please them in their own way; and as you cannot make them what they should be, you must take them as they are.

Speak of the moderns without contempt and of the ancients without idolatry; judge them all by their merits, but not by their age

The vulgar only laugh, but never smile; whereas well-bred people often smile, but seldom laugh.

It is to be presumed, that a man of common sense, who does not desire to please, desires nothing at all; since he must know that he cannot obtain anything without it.