Armies, though always the supporters and tools of absolute power for the time being, are always the destroyers of it too; by frequently changing the hands in which they think proper to lodge it.

May you live as long as you are fit to live, but no longer, or, may you rather die before you cease to be fit to live than after!

Polished brass will pass upon more people than rough gold.

Ties of blood are not always ties of friendship; but friendship founded on merit, on esteem, and on mutual trust, becomes more vital and more tender when strengthened by the ties of blood.

You must labour to acquire that great and uncommon talent of hating with good breeding, and loving with prudence; to make no quarrel irreconcilable by silly and unnecessary indications of anger; and no friendship dangerous, in care it breaks, by a wanton, indiscreet, and unreserved confidence.

To have frequent recourse to narrative betrays great want of imagination.

One should always think of what one is about; when one is learning, one should not think of play; and when one is at play, one should not think of learning.