Every man's nature is a sufficient advertisement to him of the character of his fellows.

Everything in the universe goes by indirection. There are no straight lines.

The crowning fortune of a man is to be born to some pursuit which finds him employment and happiness, whether it be to make baskets, or broadswords, or canals, or statues, or songs.

The never-ending task of self improvement.

I could better eat with one who did not respect the truth or the laws, than with a sloven and unpresentable person. Moral qualities rule the world, but at shorter distances, the senses are despotic.

Noblesse oblige; or, superior advantages bind you to larger generosity.

Society acquires new arts, and loses old instincts.