Many need no other provocation to enmity than that they find themselves excelled.

Every man is prompted by the love of himself to imagine that he possesses some qualities, superior, either in kind or degree, to those which he sees allotted to the rest of the world; and, whatever apparent disadvantages he may suffer in the comparison with others, he has some invisible distinctions, some latent reserve of excellence, which he throws into the balance, and by which he generally fancies that it is turned in his favour.

It is very strange, and very melancholy, that the paucity of human pleasures should persuade us ever to call hunting one of them.

It is the quality of patriotism to be jealous and watchful, to observe all secret machinations, and to see publick dangers at a distance. The true lover of his country is ready to communicate his fears, and to sound the alarm, whenever he perceives the approach of mischief. But he sounds no alarm, when there is no enemy; he never terrifies his countrymen till he is terrified himself. The patriotism, therefore, may be justly doubted of him, who professes to be disturbed by incredibilities.

Of all noises, I think music is the least disagreeable.

Riches are of no value in themselves; their use is discovered only in that which they procure.

With what hope can we endeavor to persuade the ladies that the time spent at the toilet is lost in vanity.