Among the numerous stratagems by which pride endeavors to recommend folly to regard, there is scarcely one that meets with less success than affectation, or a perpetual disguise of the real character by fictitious appearances.

Affectation is to be always distinguished from hypocrisy as being the art of counterfeiting those qualities, which we might with innocence and safety, be known to want. Hypocrisy is the necessary burden of villainy; affectation part of the chosen trappings of folly.

Games are good or bad as to their nature; all may be perverted.

I am willing to love all of mankind, except an American.

Every state of society is as luxurious as it can be. Men always take the best they can get.

Rash oaths, whether kept or broken, frequently produce guilt.

Every man's affairs, however little, are important to himself.