Repose and cheerfulness are the badge of the gentleman - repose in energy. The Greek battle pieces are calm; the heroes, in whatever violent actions engaged, retain a serene aspect.

A man cannot speak but he judges himself. With his will or against his will he draws his portrait to the eye of his companions by every word. Every opinion reacts on him who utters it. It is a threadball thrown at a mark, but the other end remains on the thrower

Character teaches above our wills.

I can reason down or deny everything, except this perpetual Belly: feed he must and will, and I cannot make him respectable.

For every benefit you receive a tax is levied.

There is this to be said in favor of drinking, that it takes the drunkard first out of society, then out of the world.

In conversation the game is, to say something new with old words. And you shall observe a man of the people picking his way along, step by step, using every time an old boulder, yet never setting his foot on an old place.