I can hardly bring myself to caution you against drinking, because I am persuaded that I am writing to a rational creature, a gentleman, and not to a swine. However, that you may not be insensibly drawn into that beastly custom of even sober drinking and sipping, as the sots call it, I advise you to be of no club whatsoever.

Wise people may say what they will, but one passion is never cured by another.

The law before us, my lords, seems to be the effect of that practice of which it is intended likewise to be the cause, and to be dictated by the liquor of which it so effectually promotes the use; for surely it never before was conceived by any man entrusted with the administration of public affairs, to raise taxes by the destruction of the people.

You must be respectable, if you will be respected.

Health ... is the first and greatest of all blessings.

Statesmen and beauties are very rarely sensible of the gradations of their decay.

Seek always for the best words and the happiest expression you can find.