The insupportable labor of doing nothing.

Nothing is more silly than the pleasure some people take in "speaking their minds." A man of this make will say a rude thing for the mere pleasure of saying it, when an opposite behavior, full as innocent, might have preserved his friend, or made his fortune.

It has been a sort of maxim, that the greatest art is to conceal art; but I know not how, among some people we meet with, their greatest cunning is to appear cunning.

I know of no manner of speaking so offensive as that of giving praise, and closing it with an exception.

Readings is to the mind what exercice is to the body.

He that has sense knows that learning is not knowledge, but rather the art of using it.

A favor well bestowed is almost as great an honor to him who confers it as to him who receives it.