Courtesy is a science of the highest importance. It is...opening a door that we may derive instruction from the example of others, and at the same time enabling us to benefit them by our example, if there be anything in our character worthy of imitation.

A man must not always tell all, for that be folly; but what a man says should be what he thinks.

I see this evident, that we willingly accord to piety only the services that flatter our passions.

The only good histories are those written by those who had command in the events they describe.

Man (in good earnest) is a marvellous vain, fickle, and unstable subject, and on whom it is very hard to form any certain and uniform judgment.

I am disgusted with innovation, in whatever guise, and with reason, for I have seen very harmful effects of it.

To divert myself from a troublesome fancy, it is but to run to my books; they presently fix me to them, and drive the other out of my thoughts, and do not mutiny to see that I have only recourse to them for want of other more, real, natural, and lively conveniences; they always receive me with the same kindness.