Let your letter be written as accurately as you are able,--I mean with regard to language, grammar, and stops; for as to the matter of it the less trouble you give yourself the better it will be. Letters should be easy and natural, and convey to the persons to whom we send them just what we should say to the persons if we were with them.

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.

Observe it, the vulgar often laugh, but never smile, whereas well-bred people often smile, and seldom or never laugh. A witty thing never excited laughter, it pleases only the mind and never distorts the countenance.

It seems to me that physical sickness softens, just as moral sickness hardens, the heart.

Be your character what it will, it will be known, and nobody will take it upon your word.

The manner of a vulgar man has freedom without ease, and the manner of a gentleman has ease without freedom.

Observe any meetings of people, and you will always find their eagerness and impetuosity rise or fall in proportion to their numbers.