The ambition of superior sensibility and superior eloquence disposes the lovers of arts to receive rapture at one time, and communicate it at another; and each labors first to impose upon himself and then to propagate the imposture.

Of all kinds of credulity, the most obstinate is that of party-spirit; of men, who, being numbered, they know not why, in any party, resign the use of their own eyes and ears, and resolve to believe nothing that does not favor those whom they profess to follow.

What a strange narrowness of mind now is that, to think the things we have not known are better than the things we have known.

Before dinner men meet with great inequality of understanding; and those who are conscious of their inferiority have the modesty not to talk; when they have drunk wine, every man feels himself happy, and loses that modesty, and grows impudent and vociferous; but he is not improved; he is only not sensible of his defects.

Few things are so liberally bestowed, or squandered with so little effect, as good advice.

Never speak of a man in his own presence. It is always indelicate, and may be offensive .

His death eclipsed the gayety of nations, and impoverished the public stock of harmless pleasure.