Ignorance, madam, pure ignorance.

His scorn of the great is repeated too often to be real; no man thinks much of that which he despises.

Except during the nine months before he draws his first breath, no man manages his affairs as well as a tree. We are inclined to believe those whom we do not know because they have never deceived us.

Wealth is nothing in itself; it is not useful but when it departs from us.

People in general do not willingly read if they have anything else to amuse them.

He that is much flattered soon learns to flatter himself.

It was the peculiar artifice of Habit not to suffer her power to be felt at first. Those whom she led, she had the address of appearing only to attend, but was continually doubling her chains upon her companions; which were so slender in themselves, and so silently fastened, that while the attention was engaged by other objects, they were not easily perceived. Each link grew tighter as it had been longer worn; and when by continual additions they became so heavy as to be felt, they were very frequently too strong to be broken.