Learn to shrink yourself to the size of the company you are in. Take their tone, whatever it may be, and excell in it if you can;but never pretend to give the tone. A free conversation will no more bear a dictator than a free government will.

Words are the dress of thoughts; which should no more be presented in rags, tatters, and dirt than your person should.

A man of sense soon discovers, because he carefully observes, where and how long he is welcome; and takes care to leave the company at least as soon as he is wished out of it. Fools never perceive whether they are ill timed or ill placed.

Learning is acquired by reading books; much more necessary learning, the knowledge of the world, is only to be acquired by reading men, and studying all the various editions of them.

We are, in truth, more than half what we are by imitation.

One should always think of what one is about; when one is learning, one should not think of play; and when one is at play, one should not think of learning.

Unlike my subject will I frame my song, It shall be witty and it shan't be long.