Imperfections would not be half so much taken notice of, if vanity did not make proclamation of them.

There are braying men in the world, as well as braying asses; for what is loud and senseless talking any other than away of braying?

Figure-flingers and star-gazers pretend to foretell the fortunes of kingdoms, and have no foresight in what concerns themselves.

Nothing is so fierce but love will soften; nothing so sharp-sighted in other matters but it will throw a mist before its eyes.

Tis not necessity, but opinion, that makes men miserable; and when we come to be fancy-sick, there's no cure.

It is one of the vexatious mortifications of a studious man to have his thoughts disordered by a tedious visit.

The fairest blossoms of pleasantry thrive best where the sun is not strong enough to scorch, nor the soil rank enough to corrupt.