There is nothing more dreadful to an author than neglect; compared with which reproach, hatred, and opposition are names of happiness; yet this worst, this meanest fate, every one who dares to write has reason to fear.

There may be other reasons for a man's not speaking in publick than want of resolution: he may have nothing to say.

The liberty of using harmless pleasure will not be disputed; but it is still to be examined what pleasures are harmless.

The charm of London is that you are never glad or sorry for ten minutes together; in the country you are one or the other for weeks.

The true measure of a man is how he treats someone who can do him absolutely no good.

You cannot, by all the lecturing in the world, enable a man to make a shoe.

The vanity of being known to be trusted with a secret is generally one of the chief motives to disclose it.