Manners must adorn knowledge and smooth its way in the world, without them it is like a great rough diamond, very well in a closet by way of curiosity, and also for its intrinsic value; but most prized when polished.

Nature has hardly formed a woman ugly enough to be insensible to flattery upon her person.

The permanency of most friendships depends upon the continuity of good fortune.

Endeavor, as much as you can, to keep company with people above you.... Do not mistake, when I say company above you, and think that I mean with regard to their birth; that is the least consideration; but I mean with regard to their merit, and the light in which the world considers them.

There is hardly anybody good for everything, and there is scarcely anybody who is absolutely good for nothing.

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

If you can once engage people's pride, love, pity, ambition on your side, you need not fear what their reason can do against you.