Two people cannot be alone together for upwards of half an hour without one emerging as the superior.

Whoever plays deep must necessarily lose his money or his character.

History is but a confused heap of facts.

A seeming ignorance is very often a most necessary part of worldly knowledge. It is, for instance, commonly advisable to seem ignorant of what people offer to tell you; and when they say, Have not you heard of such a thing? to answer No, and to let them go on, though you know it already.

The insolent civility of a proud man is, if possible, more shocking than his rudeness could be; because he shows you, by his manner, that he thinks it mere condescension in him; and that his goodness alone bestows upon you what you have no pretense to claim.

No man can possibly improve in any company for which he has not respect enough to be under some degree of restraint.

Sincerity is the most compendious wisdom.