Mankind is made up of inconsistencies, and no man acts invariably up to his predominant character. The wisest man sometimes acts weakly, and the weakest sometimes wisely.

People hate those who make them feel their own inferiority.

A man who tells nothing, or who tells all, will equally have nothing told him.

In the case of scandal, as in that of robbery, the receiver is always thought as bad as the thief.

In business be as able as you can, but do not be cunning; cunning is the dark sanctuary of incapacity.

A rake is a composition of all the lowest, most ignoble, degrading, and shameful vices; they all conspire to disgrace his character, and to ruin his fortune; while wine and the pox content which shall soonest and most effectually destroy his constitution.

Good-breeding carries along with it a dignity that is respected by the most petulant. Ill-breeding invites and authorizes the familiarity of the most timid.