When you have found out the prevailing passion of any man, remember never to trust him where that passion is concerned.

You should not only have attention to everything, but a quickness of attention, so as to observe at once all the people in the room--their motions, their looks and their words--and yet without staring at them and seeming to be an observer.

Modesty is the only sure bait when you angle for praise.

Buy good books, and read them; the best books are the commonest, and the last editions are always the best, if the editors are not blockheads.

Idleness is only the refuge of weak minds.

An ignorant man is insignificant and contemptible; nobody cares for his company, and he can just be said to live, and that is all.

I would rather have a young fellow too much than too little dressed; the excess on that side will wear off, with a little age and reflection; but if he is negligent at twenty, he will be a sloven at forty, and stink at fifty years old. Dress yourself fine where others are fine, and plain where others are plain; but take care always that your clothes are well made and fit you, for otherwise they will give you a very awkward air.