Polished brass will pass upon more people than rough gold.

It is by vivacity and wit that man shines in company; but trite jokes and loud laughter reduce him to a buffoon.

A gentleman has ease without familiarity, is respectful without meanness; genteel without affectation, insinuating without seeming art.

A weak mind is like a microscope, which magnifies trifling things but cannot receive great ones.

It is often more necessary to conceal contempt than resentment; the former is never forgiven, but the later is sometimes forgotten.

History is but a confused heap of facts.

Our prejudices are our mistresses; reason is at best our wife, very often heard indeed, but seldom minded.