Just praise is only a debt, but flattery is a present. The acknowledgment of those virtues on which conscience congratulates us is a tribute that we can at any tine exact with confidence; but the celebration of those which we only feign, or desire without any vigorous endeavours to attain them, is received as a confession of sovereignty over regions never conquered, as a favourable decision of disputable claims, and is more welcome as more gratuitous.

The life of a solitary man will be certainly miserable, but not certainly devout.

Every other enjoyment malice may destroy; every other panegyric envy may withhold; but no human power can deprive the boaster of his own encomiums.

The dependant who cultivates delicacy in himself very little consults his own tranquillity.

Madam, before you flatter a man so grossly to his face, you should consider whether or not your flattery is worth his having.

In such a government as ours no man is appointed to an office because he is the fittest for it--nor hardly in any other government--because there are so many connections and dependencies to be studied.

No government power can be abused long. Mankind will not bear it.