There are people who indulge themselves in a sort of lying, which they reckon innocent, and which in one sense is so; for it hurtsnobody but themselves. This sort of lying is the spurious offspring of vanity, begotten upon folly.

If you would convince others, seem open to conviction yourself.

Few fathers care much for their sons, or at least, most of them care more for their money. Of those who really love their sons, few know how to do it.

May you live as long as you are fit to live, but no longer, or, may you rather die before you cease to be fit to live than after!

A seeming ignorance is very often a most necessary part of worldly knowledge. It is, for instance, commonly advisable to seem ignorant of what people offer to tell you; and when they say, Have not you heard of such a thing? to answer No, and to let them go on, though you know it already.

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

I love every-day senses, every-day wit and entertainment; a man who is only good on holidays, is good for very little.