Pleasure, when it is a man's chief purpose, disappoints itself; and the constant application to it palls the faculty of enjoying it.

A man cannot have an idea of perfection in another, which he was never sensible of in himself.

Pleasure seizes the whole man who addicts himself to it, and will not give him leisure for any good office in life which contradicts the gayety of the present hour.

Among all the diseases of the mind there is not one more epidemical or more pernicious than the love of flattery.

There are so few who can grow old with a good grace.

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

The praise of an ignorant man is only good-will, and you should receive his kindness as he is a good neighbor in society, and not as a good judge of your actions in point of fame and reputation.