This man [Chesterfield], I thought, had been a Lord among wits; but I find he is only a wit among Lords.

It is wonderful to think how men of very large estates not only spend their yearly income, but are often actually in want of money. It is clear, they have not value for what they spend.

Politics are now nothing more than means of rising in the world. With this sole view do men engage in politics, and their whole conduct proceeds upon it.

The resolution of the combat is seldom equal to the vehemence of the charge.

A translator is to be like his author; it is not his business to excel him.

Men have been wise in many different modes; but they have always laughed the same way.

It may be no less dangerous to claim, on certain occasions, too little than too much. There is something captivating in spirit and intrepidity, to which we often yield as to a resistless power; nor can we often yield as to a resistless power; nor can he reasonably expect the confidence of others who too apparently distrusts himself.