But the distant hope of being one day useful or eminent ought not to mislead us too far from that study which is equally requisite to the great and mean, to the celebrated and obscure; the art of moderating the desires, of repressing the appetites; and of conciliating or retaining the favour of mankind.

The hour of reformation is always delayed; every delay gives vice another opportunity of fortifying itself by habit.

Authors and lovers always suffer some infatuation, from which only absence can set them free.

Treating your adversary with respect is giving him an advantage to which he is not entitled.

What is good only because it pleases cannot be pronounced good till it has been found to please.

Where secrecy or mystery begins, vice or roguery is not far off.

Pointed axioms and acute replies fly loose about the world, and are assigned successively to those whom it may be the fashion to celebrate.