The vulgar look upon a man, who is reckoned a fine speaker, as a phenomenon, a supernatural being, and endowed with some peculiargift of Heaven; they stare at him, if he walks in the park, and cry, that is he. You will, I am sure, view him in a juster light, and nulla formidine. You will consider him only as a man of good sense, who adorns common thoughts with the graces of elocution, and the elegancy of style. The miracle will then cease.

People will no more advance their civility to a bear, than their money to a bankrupt.

In nature the most violent passions are silent; in tragedy they must speak and speak with dignity too.

Real friendship is a slow grower.

Whatever is worth doing at all is worth doing well.

An able man shows his spirit by gentle words and resolute actions. He is neither hot nor timid.

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