Every man speaks and writes with intent to be understood; and it can seldom happen but he that understands himself, might convey his notions to another, if, content to be understood, he did not seek to be admired; but when once he begins to contrive how his sentiments may be received, not with most ease to his reader, but with most advantage to himself, he then transfers his consideration from words to sounds, from sentences to periods, and, as he grows more elegant, becomes less intelligible.

Health is so necessary to all the duties, as well as pleasures of life, that the crime of squandering it is equal to the folly.

I doubt if there ever was a man who was not gratified by being told that he was liked by the women.

Whoever envies another confesses his superiority.

A book should teach us to enjoy life, or to endure it.

None but a fool worries about things he cannot influence.

I would rather be attacked than unnoticed. For the worst thing you can do to an author is to be silent as to his works.